John Allen Hilger

Later war service

In September 1942, Hilger was promoted to colonel. From that same month, he commanded the 320th and then the 344th Bomb Groups in Florida, which were equipped with Martin B-26 Marauder bombers, until July 1943.

From July to October 1943, Hilger served in with the 14th Air Force in Kunming, China as the commander of the Operational Training Unit Bomb Group in 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.

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.

On November 9, 2001, Hilger and 12 other Doolittle Raiders who were born in Texas were inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston.

Awards and decorations During his lengthy career, Hilger earned many decorations, including:

Command Pilot Silver Star United Nations Korea MedalChina War Memorial Medal(Republic of China)Korean War Service Medal