As a member of the famous Doolittle Raid, Travis Hoover was the pilot on the second B-25 to take off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet on April 18, 1942, and after bombing Tokyo his crew flew to China and crash landed with no injuries. He later flew combat missions in B-25 Mitchell and B-24 Liberator bombers and P-38 Lightning fighters in North Africa and Italy. He retired on October 31, 1969, as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Travis
Hoover
September 21, 1917
–
January 17, 2004
Born:
Melrose
,
New Mexico
Home:
Melrose
,
New Mexico
Buried:
San Antonio
,
Texas
Cemetery:
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Division:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 588 (May 23, 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 Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Travis Hoover (ASN: 0-421149), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Hoover, 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 Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Division:
Doolittle Tokyo Raider ForceAction Date:
April 18, 1942
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Travis Hoover (ASN: 0-421149), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Pilot of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942. Lieutenant Hoover with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Travis Hoover (ASN: 0-421149), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.