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-47E-IV Stratojet Length 108.01 ft | 32.92 m Width 116.14 ft | 35.40 m Height 0.00 ft | 0.00 m Engine(s) 6 x General Electric J47-GE-25 turbojets generating 7,200lbs of thrust each. 1 x 36,000lb rocket system for JATO launch. Empty Weight 79,073 lbs | 35,867 kg MTOW 229,999 lbs | 104,326 kg Max Speed 600 mph | 965 km/h | 521 kts Max Range 3,870 miles | 6,228 km Ceiling 40,499 ft | 12,344 m | 7.7 miles Climb Rate 4,350 ft/min (1,325.88 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament 2 x 20mm cannons in rear-facing remote tail turret assembly.
25,000lbs of internal ordnance Accommodations 3 or 4 Operators the United States of America