John A. Hilger

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John Allen Hilger
307th Bomb Group
307th Bomb Wing
Air Force Operational Test Center
U.S. Air Force Group, Turkey
Battles/warsWorld War II
Korean War
AwardsSilver Star
Legion of Merit (4)
Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal (3)

John Allen Hilger (11 January 1909 – 3 February 1982) was a

89th Reconnaissance Squadron as commander in May 1940; flying North American B-25 Mitchell bombers on anti-submarine patrols
from December 1941.

Selected by

LIVE OAK
, before his retirement from the Air Force on 30 November 1966.

Early life and career

On January 11, 1909 John Allen Hilger was born in Sherman, Texas. He was one of four sons born to John Frederick and Emma Viola Hilger. He was a graduate of

bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. While at Texas A&M, he participated in the university's military program and was affiliated with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.[1]

Hilger as captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps (1940)

Hilger embarked on his military career in May 1932 when he became a

March Field in California, where he undertook various roles such as serving as an assistant base adjutant, a pilot, and overseeing the photographic section on the base.[2]

By March 1937, Hilger had gone through a divorce and subsequently entered into a new marriage with Virginia Hope Botterud in

89th Reconnaissance Squadron. He continued to serve at McChord Field, operating North American B-25 Mitchell bombers during anti-submarine patrols until February 1942. During this time, he achieved promotions to the ranks of captain and later to major.[1][3][2]

World War II

Doolittle Raid

89th Reconnaissance Squadron. John A. Hilger, pilot (second from left). On the deck of USS Hornet
, April 18, 1942

In March 1942, Hilger, now a major, was designated as the deputy commander for the

Madame Chiang Kai-shek.[5][6]

After the raid, Hilger returned to the United States. On June 27,

Torpedo Squadron 8 during the Battle of Midway.[7]

Later war service

Virginia Hilger admiring her husband's Distinguished Flying Cross following award ceremonies at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C (June 1942)

In September 1942, Hilger promoted to

B-26 Marauder bombers, until July 1943.[8]

From July to October 1943, Hilger served in with the

China Burma India Theater. He also commanded the 1st Bomb Group of the Chinese-American Composite Wing, but was prohibited from flying combat missions due to fear that he would be executed by the Japanese if captured due to his participation in the Doolittle Raid.[9]

For the last 18 months of World War II, Hilger served in the Western Pacific as a special plans officer on the staff of Admiral

Chester Nimitz, who was the commander-in-chief Pacific area.[2]

Cold War

Hilger was assigned to Army Air Force headquarters in January 1946. He worked in

306th Bomb Group, which was also at MacDill.[2][8]

B-29 Superfortress of 307th BG over Korea (1951)

During the

B-29 Superfortress in combat missions. On November 8, 1950, Hilger led an air raid near Sinuiju, North Korea, which resulted in the destruction of the target despite formidable anti-aircraft fire and fighter plane opposition, and the fact that the city was 666 yards (609 m) on the other side of the Yalu River from the Chinese city of Andong. Additionally, Hilger took on roles within the 307th Bomb Wing staff and later commanded the 307th BW at Kadena AFB from December 1950 to April 1951. Afterward, he served as the director of operations at the headquarters of the 6th Air Division, based at MacDill Air Force Base, until he enrolled in the National War College in Washington, D.C., in August 1951.[10][8][2]

In July 1952, Hilger assumed the role of chief in the allocations division within the Directorate of Operations at the Pentagon. He held this position until July 1955 when he was reassigned as the commander of the Air Force Operational Test Center at the Eglin Air Force Base, which was part of the Air Proving Ground Command. In October 1956, he received a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and continued to lead the operational test center until June 1957. Following this, Hilger's next posting sent him to Turkey, where he served as the commander of the U.S. Air Force Group within the Joint U.S. Military Mission for Aid to Turkey, a position he held from June 1957 to June 1959.[2]

From July 1959 to July 1961, he assumed the role of Chief of Staff for Allied Air Forces in

LIVE OAK and also served as the Chief of the United States Element for LIVE OAK starting from July 1964. On November 30, 1966, he retired from the Air Force.[2][8]

Later life

Following his military retirement, Hilger was employed by the United States Atomic Energy Commission until he fully retired in early 1982. On February 3, 1982, Hilger passed away at the age of 73. In accordance with his wishes, his remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean, close to the coast of Newport Beach, California.[11]

On November 9, 2001, Hilger and 12 other Doolittle Raiders who were born in Texas were inducted into the

Galveston.[12]

Awards and decorations

During his lengthy career, Hilger earned many decorations, including:[13]

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Command Pilot
Silver Star[13] Legion of Merit
with three bronze oak leaf clusters[13]
Distinguished Flying Cross
with bronze oak leaf cluster[13] 		Bronze Star Medal Air Medal
with two bronze oak leaf clusters
American Defense Service Medal
with service star 		American Campaign Medal
with service star
campaign star
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

with four bronze campaign stars 		World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal
with service star
Korean Service Medal
with three bronze campaign stars
Air Force Longevity Service Award

with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Republic of China)[14]
United Nations Korea Medal
 China War Memorial Medal
(Republic of China) 		Korean War Service Medal[N 1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Tribe, Henry Franklin. "Hilger, John Allen". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Brigadier General John A. Hilger". United States Air Force. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Peck. Page 22.
  4. ^ Woodall. Page 53.
  5. ^ Woodall. Page 57, 58.
  6. ^ Zhuang, Pinghui (December 16, 2018). "After the Doolittle Raid: Across the Generations, Second World War Ties that Bind China and the United States". South China Morning Post. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  7. ^ Woodall. Page 60.
  8. ^ a b c d "John A. Hilger". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Woodall. Pages 60, 61.
  10. ^ Woodall. Page 63.
  11. ^ Woodall. Page 64.
  12. ^ "Air-Log" (PDF). The History of Aviation Collection (The University of Texas at Dallas). January 2002. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
  13. ^ a b c d "Valor Awards for John Allen Hilger". Military Times. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  14. ^ "Song Meiling with Brigadier General James Doolittle (note Order of the Cloud and Banner 3rd Class) and Colonel John Hilger (note Order of the Cloud and Banner 6th Class), Chongqing, China, 29 Jun 1942". World War II Database. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  15. ^ "Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal". Air Force Personnel Center. Retrieved 2023-01-23.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force

Notes

  1. ^ In 2000 this award was made retroactive to all U.S. military personnel who served in the Korean War.[15]

Bibliography

Further reading

External links
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