Hewitt Dunn (49176298)
Suggested edit: By the time the war had finished, Dunn had flown in 104 missions, he had been a tail gunner on twenty-six missions, twice a top-turret gunner, a waist gunner and the remainder as togglier (Bombardier). He had flown over Berlin nine times, he claimed a FW-190 shot down and had amassed an impressive array of medals for his bravery and actions, and all at just 24 years old.
Post war, he continued to fly as an Instructor Gunner for B-52s in the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Strategic Bomb Wing, at Castle Air Force Base in California. Here he was described as "quiet and reserved" and never talked about his war experiences. He was "handsome man with black hair", and only when he wore his dress uniform, did others realize how well decorated he was.
Tragically, he was killed by his own son after being shot five times for beating and kicking the boy's Mom during a drinking spree. (This edit is NOT meant to defame Hewitt in any manner. More than anything, this is a reminder that MANY veterans come home from various wars with mental disorders through no fault of their own. Obviously, he was a different person when he signed up to fight for his country, else Peggy would never have married him and had his child.)
One newspaper covering his death even reported (fake news) that at the time of his death, he was teaching his son about gun safety and was shot accidentally.
An article on YouTube covers Hewitt Tomlinson Dunn in detail:
https://worldwarwings.com/why-was-the-greatest-b-17-gunner-erased-from-history/
Hewitt Dunn (49176298)
Suggested edit: By the time the war had finished, Dunn had flown in 104 missions, he had been a tail gunner on twenty-six missions, twice a top-turret gunner, a waist gunner and the remainder as togglier (Bombardier). He had flown over Berlin nine times, he claimed a FW-190 shot down and had amassed an impressive array of medals for his bravery and actions, and all at just 24 years old.
Post war, he continued to fly as an Instructor Gunner for B-52s in the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Strategic Bomb Wing, at Castle Air Force Base in California. Here he was described as "quiet and reserved" and never talked about his war experiences. He was "handsome man with black hair", and only when he wore his dress uniform, did others realize how well decorated he was.
Tragically, he was killed by his own son after being shot five times for beating and kicking the boy's Mom during a drinking spree. (This edit is NOT meant to defame Hewitt in any manner. More than anything, this is a reminder that MANY veterans come home from various wars with mental disorders through no fault of their own. Obviously, he was a different person when he signed up to fight for his country, else Peggy would never have married him and had his child.)
One newspaper covering his death even reported (fake news) that at the time of his death, he was teaching his son about gun safety and was shot accidentally.
An article on YouTube covers Hewitt Tomlinson Dunn in detail:
https://worldwarwings.com/why-was-the-greatest-b-17-gunner-erased-from-history/
Gravesite Details
M/SGT 328 BOMB SQ 93 BOMB WING CASTLE AFB CALIF USAF
