This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Hillman, Donald Edison, Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Seattle, Washington; Selma, Alabama
Last Address Kirkland, Washington
Date of Passing Mar 16, 2012
Location of Interment Tahoma National Cemetery (VA) - Kent, Washington
He shot down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat during WWII. He was shot down by flak Oct 17, 1944 and became a POW. He twice escaped from German POW camps. The 1st time he was recaptured and transferred to another camp. The 2nd time he was able to make it back to friendly lines. In the 2nd escape he was aided by a disillusioned German officer with whom he later became close friends. On Oct 15, 1952 he piloted a B-47B on the first deep-penetration reconnaissance mission over the USSR.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Donald E. Hillman (ASN: 0-418131), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action on 27 September 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Hillman distinguished himself by outstanding bravery and aerial proficiency while leading his squadron in aerial combat with a superior number of enemy aircraft over Germany. At great risk to his own personal safety he attacked alone and unescorted a flight of eight hostile planes; by his skillful maneuvering and intense fighting spirit he succeeded in destroying two of their number and forcing the remainder to withdraw. Lieutenant Colonel Hillman's unswerving courage and self-sacrificing regard for the safety of his fellow pilots are exemplary of the finest traditions of the Army Air Force.
General Orders: Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 289 (December 10, 1944)
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Boeing B-50D Superfortress Length 100.00 ft | 30.48 m Width 141.40 ft | 43.10 m Height 34.58 ft | 10.54 m Engine(s) 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360-35 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radial engines generating 3,500hp each. Empty Weight 0 lbs | 0 kg MTOW 173,001 lbs | 78,472 kg Max Speed 380 mph | 611 km/h | 330 kts Max Range 4,896 miles | 7,880 km Ceiling 36,713 ft | 11,190 m | 7.0 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 0 Armament 12 x 12.7mm machine guns 1 x 20mm cannon
Up to 20,000lbs of internal ordnance Accommodations 10 Operators the United States of America
