Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Frank
O’Driscoll
Hunter
December 8, 1894

–

June 25, 1982

Cemetery:

Laurel Grove Cemetery North

Frank Hunter became an ACE in World War I, scoring 9 victories. His five awards of the DSC is equaled only by Douglas Campbell, and exceeded only by the seven DSCs awarded to Eddie Rickenbacker. Hunter remained in the army, attaining the rank of Major General and commanding the 8th Air Force Fighter Command in England during World War II. He retired from the United States Army Air Force in 1946. He was the only LIVING person in history to have a U.S. Military base named after him when Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah, Georgia, was named in his honor in May 1940.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    World War II
    War Department, General Orders No. 17 (February 26, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Frank O’Driscoll Hunter (ASN: 0-9597), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Hunter and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    103d Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 6, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 147 (1918)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Frank O’Driscoll Hunter (ASN: 0-9597), United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Bantheville, France, 6 October 1918. While on patrol First Lieutenant Hunter encountered an enemy formation of six mono-place planes. He immediately attacked and destroyed one enemy plane and forced the others to disperse in confusion.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Frank O’Driscoll Hunter (ASN: 0-9597), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the EIGHTH Air Force, in action during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    103d Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 17, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 147 (1918)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Frank O’Driscoll Hunter (ASN: 0-9597), United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Verneville, France, 17 September 1918. Leading a patrol of three planes, First Lieutenant Hunter attacked an enemy formation of eight planes. Although outnumbered, they succeeded in bringing down four of the enemy. Lieutenant Hunter accounted for two of these.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    103d Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 2, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 147 (1918)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Frank O’Driscoll Hunter (ASN: 0-9597), United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Ypres, Belgium, 2 June 1918. Lieutenant Hunter, while on patrol, alone attacked two enemy bi-place planes, destroying one and forcing the other to retire. In the course of the combat he was wounded in the forehead. Despite his injuries he succeeded in returning his damaged plane to his own aerodrome.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    103d Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 13, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 147 (1918)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Frank O’Driscoll Hunter (ASN: 0-9597), United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Champey, France, 13 September 1918. First Lieutenant Hunter, accompanied by one other mono-place plane, attacked an enemy patrol of six planes. Despite numerical superiority and in a decisive combat, he destroyed one enemy plane and, with the aid of his companion, forced the others within their own lines.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    VII Fighter Command

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 84 (June 26, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Frank O’Driscoll Hunter (ASN: 0-9597), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding General of the VII Fighter Command, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Brigadier General Hunter, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    103d Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 147 (1918)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Frank O’Driscoll Hunter (ASN: 0-9597), United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Liny-devant-Dun, France, 4 October 1918. While separated from his patrol First Lieutenant Hunter observed an allied patrol of seven planes (Breguets) hard pressed by an enemy formation of ten planes (Fokker type). He attacked two of the enemy that were harassing a single Breguet and in a decisive fight destroyed one of them. Meanwhile five enemy planes approached and concentrated their fire upon him. Undaunted by their superiority, he attacked and brought down a second plane.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Frank O’Driscoll Hunter (ASN: 0-9597), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Hunter and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.