Raymond Hilgenberg
Military ROLL OF HONOURFrom the personal collection of Lt. Billy J. Murray
Killed in Action (KIA) on Feb, 24, 1945 near Vaassen in a replacement plane P-51 'Mr. Gary' #4414949, due to a ground loop which occurred three days prior. Three days earlier he had a similar incident that was as he was hit by AA fire while strafing in Germany. He made it to France and safely crash-landed with the left landing gear wheel inoperable and a shot up left wing. He skidded off the runway but walked away unhurt. This aircraft was the Assigned #44-11565 P-51K YJ-X which was the personal aircraft for 1Lt. Hilgenberg. The a/c's first combat mission was with Lt. Hilgenberg on Dec. 10th, 1944. He flew 23 missions in this aircraft. He christened it "Sunshine" after his nickname Ray Of Sunshine! 1Lt Hilgenberg was sadly KIA on his 40th mission. He came from Chicago in a family of nine siblings, three of whom served during WWII in addition to himself.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Air base
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron 504th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14188861 /O-827353
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot with the 353rd , 351st fighter squadron
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron 505th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16136319 / T-62611 / O-2000298
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11025538 / O-758938
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 356th Fighter Group 496th Fighter Training Group 351st Fighter Squadron 359th Fighter Squadron 555th Fighter Training Squadron Headquarters (353rd Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-416268
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11055939 / O-800470
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 24 February 1945
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Died |
24 February 1945 | ||
Born |
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Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
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Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
Hollland | 24 February 1945 | |
Other Promoted |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 12622 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list