Richard H. Hackett.
Radio Operator · 409th Squadron · Of New York, NY.
The man.
Picked up B-24 in Herington, KS, flew over the southern route to England via Puerto Rico. Upon arrival in England, their plane was reassigned after the crew had the nose painted "Ambling Okie" (pilot was from Oklahoma). Assigned to 93rd Bomb Group, 409th Sqdn. Completed 30 missions on May 11, 1944. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three clusters.
Service record.
Missions flown.
Before and after.
Born Dec. 27, 1922 in New York City. Enlisted in the USAAC Nov. 16, 1942. Basic training in Miami. Radio School at Truex Field, WI; Gunnery School at Kingman, AZ. Crew training completed in Casper, WY and Scottsbluff, NE.
Returned to the States and assigned as an instructor on B-17s. Discharged with rank of tech. sergeant on Oct. 26, 1945. Married Elizabeth Markey from Charlotte, NC on Sept. 2, 1948; they have one daughter. Retired from Eastern Air Lines in 1986 and lives in Warren, RI.