M. Paul Hildreth: Pilot, Crew Leader, and P.O.W.

Major Paul Hildreth – Military Career

Major Paul Hildreth, commonly known as Paul Hildreth, was born September 21, 1921, at the family home in New Brockton, Alabama, on land that later was taken by the government for what is now the sprawling headquarters of Army aviation. During the Great Depression, the family moved to Brundidge, Alabama where Paul finished school. On February 7, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Annie Lester Crawley. Paul entered service as an Aviation Cadet on October 28, 1942. Throughout 1943, he undertook extensive flight training to gain his Wings and master the art of piloting the B-17 aircraft as first pilot. Second Lieutenant Hildreth was assigned a crew in late 1943 that quickly bonded and gained competencies as part of the 816th Squadron of the 483rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the 5th Bomb Wing, 15th Air Force. After piloting the B-17G across the Atlantic from Brazil, the crew eventually arrived at the base of operations in Italy. Starting April 12, 1944, Paul piloted 37 strategic bombing missions against the German war machine. On July 18, 1944, his plane was part of the unescorted Memmingen raid that resulted in one of the largest number of aircraft losses in the later stages of the European war. His entire 10-man crew survived parachuting out of the B-17 before it spiraled and disintegrated. He was the last man out. All crew members were captured and turned over to the German military as Prisoners of War. After about 10 months in P.O.W. camps, all crew members were repatriated to Allied control in France. First Lieutenant Hildreth returned to America by boat after 1 year, 3 months, and 18 days of foreign service. That service was combined with 11 months and 13 days of continental service as active military. This website is devoted to Major Paul Hildreth as a B-17 Pilot, Crew Leader, and P.O.W.