World War II Honoree

Arthur Ray 'Hawk' Hawkins

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Zavalia, Texas

Honored By

George Weck

Relationship

Friend

PROUDLY SERVED AS A CAPTAIN. HE WAS THE NAVY'S 10TH RANKING ACE DURING WWII, WITH 14 CONFIRMED AND 3 PROBABLE AERIAL VICTORIES, ALL WHILE FLYING F6F HELLCATS FROM THE CARRIERS USS CABOT AND USS BELLEAU WOOD. HIS WAR RECORD INCLUDED DESTROYING 39 AIRCRAFT ON THE GROUND AND ASSISTING IN THE SINKING OF A BATTLESHIP. HE RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS, INCLUDING THREE NAVY CROSSES AND TWO DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS MEDALS. HE WAS INSPIRED TO JOIN THE NAVY AT 19, BY THE 1942 DEATH OF HIS OLDER BROTHER, AN ARMY AIR FORCE FIGHTER PILOT SHOT DOWN IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.