Donald Gott joined the Enlisted Reserve Corps as a private at Hartford, Conn. in September 1942, and reported for active duty the following March. He took flight training at fields in California and Arizona, getting his wings and commission in January 1944.
Gott completed four-engine transition training at Hobbs Field, N.M., three months later and went to England to fly B-17 bombers for the 452nd Bomb Group’s 729th Squadron. His first mission on August 25 was a strike against enemy installations at Politz, Germany.
He flew 26 others over Northern France and Germany until meeting his death Nov. 9, 1944, after a bombing run on the marshaling
yards at Saarbrucken.
For his loyalty to his crew, determination to accomplish his mission, and self-sacrifice, Lieutenant Gott was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation, in part reads: “… Over the yards, the B-17 piloted by Lieutenant Gott was seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three engines were damaged beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the number 4 engine were leaping back as far as the tail assembly and fire raged throughout the cockpit. The engineer was wounded in the leg and the radio operator’s arm was severed below the elbow and despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator fell unconscious.
Faced with the imminent
explosion of his aircraft and death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target Lieutenant Gott and his copilot conferred and decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly territory and try to save the life of the wounded radio operator. Bombs were released on the target and the crippled aircraft proceeded alone to Allied controlled territory. When that had been reached, crew members were told to bail out. The copilot chose to remain with Lieutenant Gott in order to assist in landing the bomber. With only one normally functioning engine, and with danger of explosion, much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again, and then disintegrated. All three crew members were killed instantly. Lieutenant Gott’s loyalty to his crew and last service to his country was an example of valor at its highest.”
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On a bombing run upon the marshaling yards at Saarbrucken a B-17 aircraft piloted by 1st. Lt. Gott was seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three of the aircraft’s engines were damaged beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were leaping back as far as the tail assembly. Flares in the cockpit were ignited and a fire raged therein, which was further increased by free-flowing fluid from damaged hydraulic lines. The interphone system was rendered useless. In addition to these serious mechanical difficulties the engineer was wounded in the leg and the radio operator’s arm was severed below the elbow. Suffering from intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator fell unconscious. Faced with the imminent explosion of his aircraft, and death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target, 1st. Lt. Gott and his copilot conferred. Something had to be done immediately to save the life of the wounded radio operator. The lack of a static line and the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision. 1st. Lt. Gott and his copilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly territory and then attempt to crash land. Bombs were released on the target and the crippled aircraft proceeded alone to Allied-controlled territory. When that had been reached, 1st. Lt. Gott had the copilot personally inform all crewmembers to bail out. The copilot chose to remain with 1st. Lt. Gott in order to assist in landing the bomber. With only one normally functioning engine, and with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again and then disintegrated. All 3 crewmembers were instantly killed. 1st. Lt. Gott’s loyalty to his crew, his determination to accomplish the task set forth to him, and his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valor at its highest.
Article Courtesy of USAF