World War II Honoree

Russell R. Hiatt

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Taft, California

Honored By

Bernice Mager

Relationship

Friend

SERVED AS A TAIL GUNNER ABOARD MEDIUM BOMBERS. FLEW 53 MISSIONS IN THE EUROPEAN THEATERS OF OPERATION. TECHNICAL SERGEANT; 323RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (M), U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE. RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL. DISPLAYED OUTSTANDING HEROISM DURING A COMBAT MISSION ON DECEMBER 26,1944. WHEN A FULLY-ARMED 25 POUND BOMB IN HIS AIRCRAFT FAILED TO RELEASE OVER THE TARGET, HE COURAGEOUSLY REMOVED HIS PARACHUTE AND ENTERED THE OPEN BOMB BAYS TO JETTISON THE HUNG-UP BOMB. HE SUCCESSFULLY RELEASED THE DANGEROUS BOMB. THE AIRCRAFT THEN LANDED SAFELY ON BASE.