Donald D. Pucket

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donald Dale Pucket (ASN: 0-692817), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Bomber with the 343d Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force. On 26 June 1944, while participating in a bombing mission against an enemy aircraft factory in Austria, Lieutenant Pucket’s formation encountered intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire in the target area which severely damaged his plane and wounded one of his gunners. Shortly thereafter, a companion ship in his unit was hit by flak and forced out of the formation. Lieutenant Pucket gallantly elected to fall back with it to add the protection of the guns on his ship and both of these planes were attacked by an enemy aircraft which shot down the other B-24. The attacker was in turn destroyed by one of Lieutenant Pucket’s gunners. His courage and expert pilotage made possible a safe return with his damaged plane from deep in enemy territory, and a safe landing at home base, despite great mechanical difficulties. By his outstanding courage, professional skill and devotion to duty as evidenced throughout over twenty-nine (29) successful missions against the enemy, Lieutenant Pucket has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.^[3]