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-52H Stratofortress Length 160.89 ft | 49.04 m Width 185.10 ft | 56.42 m Height 40.68 ft | 12.40 m Engine(s) 8 x Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3 turbofan engines generating 17,000lbs of standard thrust each. Empty Weight 172,743 lbs | 78,355 kg MTOW 487,993 lbs | 221,350 kg Max Speed 595 mph | 958 km/h | 517 kts Max Range 10,000 miles | 16,093 km Ceiling 54,954 ft | 16,750 m | 10.4 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 2 Armament Mission-specific armament can include any of the following:
20 x AGM-86B ALCM cruise missiles (internal) 20 x AGM-129 cruise missiles (internal) 2 x AGM-86B ALCMs cruise missile (external) 2 x AGM-129 cruise missiles (external) Free Fall Nuclear Bombs 12 x AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles 12 x AGM-142A air-to-surface missiles AGM-86C CALCM cruise missiles JDAMs
Up to 51,570lbs (340kg) class bombs or mines Accommodations 6 Operators United States of America