Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A B-17 Flying Fortress pilot’s Distinguished Service Cross group of six awarded to Major Sidney Hantman, of 322 Squadron who was badly wounded when cannon-shell from a German fighter blew off his arm during an attack on the Arado Fleugenwerke in October 1943 - at the time he was ‘filling in’ for a sick rear gunner having already completed his own tour of operations as a pilot - he continued his duty until he passed out from loss of blood

United States of America, Distinguished Service Cross, bronze, numbered ‘13747’, wrap brooch; in case of issue (cover distressed), with miniature Distinguished Service Cross, with brooch mount; Air Medal, bronze, numbered 16441, wrap brooch; Purple Heart, gilt and enamel, slot brooch, in case of issue, with enamelled lapel miniature riband bar; Army Commendation Medal; American Defense Service Medal, bronze, slot brooch, in box of issue; Victory Medal 1945, slot brooch, in box of issue, generally very fine or better (6) £800-£1,000

Distinguished Service Cross Citation:
‘The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sidney Hantman, First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Tail Gunner and Observer in a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the 322nd Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, during a bombardment mission over Germany on 9 October 1943. Although he had completed his missions as a pilot and was serving as squadron Operations Officer, First Lieutenant Hantman volunteered to fill a crew vacancy by occupying the tail gunner observer position. Before arriving at the target area, his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters and he was struck by an explosive shell which blew off his right arm at the shoulder, and caused a compound fracture of his right leg and inflicted extensive wounds to his right thigh. In total disregard of the pain of his wounds and without regard for the preservation of his life, Lieutenant Hantman remained at his post without first aid or assistance and continued to discharge his duties under enemy attack until he was on the verge of unconsciousness. He then began to work his way forward to obtain someone to take over his post at which time he collapsed from shock and loss of blood. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Hantman on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces. Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 15 (1944).’

Sidney Hantman was born on 23 April 1916, in Springfield. In 1943, he was serving as an Assistant operations officer, flying in B17 Flying Fortress’s of 322 Squadron, part of 91st Bomb Group. On 9 October 1943, as part of the crew of B-17 #604 (42-5804) "Hell’s Hallo”, Hantman took part in a raid on the Arado Fleugenwerke, in Anklam, Germany. However just before reaching their target, the aircraft was hit by a 20mm cannon round.

A Squadron report stated that:
‘1st Lt. Sidney Hantman (Ass't operations officer of this squadron) while riding in the tail position of A/C 604 piloted by Lt. Everett and Major Donald Sheeler, was struck by a 20 mm.  It cut his right arm off close to the shoulder, penetrated his thigh and went on through his leg. Hantman was hit just before the formation reached the target at about *** hours. Tourniquet could not be applied as arm was sheared off too close to body. S/Sgt . W. S. French, right waist gunner on A/C 804, was struck by flak or bullet in hand. Injury not serious although French was hospitalized. S/Sgt A. K. Baker, radio operator on A/C 511, struck in forehead by flak.’

A further Squadron report of the raid stated:
‘A/A Fire: No fire at target, meager to moderate fire from Madergale, Rostock, Warnestrude, Fehasian Island and Bad Sulms. All inaccurate. We were out of their range. Enemy Opposition:  Up to 300 E/ A were encountered, mostly twin engine craft, some single engines - FW190, ME109, ME110, He111, Do217, JU87, JU88, FW189.  First met E/A at 1032 hours and not until our remaining planes of the formation were well offshore at 1035 did the E/A cease their attacks. Enemy employed rockets which were fired by the Me110, Ju88 and FW190. Although fighter support was to have met us at point in the North Sea, our formation did not see them.’

1st Lieutenant Hantman and Staff Sergeant French were taken to the 49th Station Hospital before moving to a hospital in or near Cambridge. He was later taken back to America and sent to Water Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. He met his wife-to-be at Walter Reed and had one or more children. Promoted Major, in later life Hantman was a life member of The Legion of Valor, serving as National Commander 1968-1969. He resided in Maryland and died at home at Silver Spring on 17 March 1973.

Sold with medal riband bar, mounted as worn in photographs, Major’s rank insignia, leather flying jacket name label, large 322nd Bombardment Squadron and smaller Army Air Force cloth flying jacket patches; Legion of Valor banner and National Commander forage cap, U.S. Air Force sweetheart cushion cover; paperwork, including service record, original citation and certificate for Army Commendation; period file with detailed commendations, menu from dinner honouring Hantman in 1957, Hartman’s Armed Forces of the United States card, with photo and left fingerprint, noting his right ‘Amputated’, giving his rank of Major, dated June 1950; Legion of Valor membership card, Governor of Kentucky Order of Kentucky Colonels membership, 1973, 91st Bomb Group Memorial Association membership, 1973; together with a large quantity of photographs, including one of the attack where he lost his arm, of large portrait (wearing medal ribands), damaged aircraft, veteran shots, also meeting with President Lyndon B. Johnson.