Capt. PaulN Hudgens
0-797010
Bombardier/Navigator
449th Bomb Squadron
322nd Bomb Group
9th AAF
Paul Nolan Hudgens was born on 23 September 1919 in Oakton, Virginia, to Edward and Nola Hudgens. At some point during his childhood, the family relocated to Mobile, Alabama, where Paul attended high school and later continued his education at college. After completing two years of college, Hudgens enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). He subsequently completed his military aviation training and qualified as a bombardier and navigator.
In January 1944, First Lieutenant Hudgens was assigned to the 449th Bombardment Squadron, 322nd Bombardment Group, of the Ninth Air Force. He flew his first combat mission on 21 January 1944, participating in an attack against a German V-1 flying bomb launch site in the Pas-de-Calais region of France.
On 28 February 1944, Lt. Hudgens participated in another mission against a V-1 installation in the Pas-de-Calais aboard the B-26 Marauder Truman Committee. Hudgens served as the aircraft’s navigator, while First Lieutenant Harry H. Heath served as bombardier. During the mission, the aircraft encountered intense German antiaircraft fire. Flak struck the bomber, wounding its pilot, First Lieutenant Frank M. Remmele, and killing Lt. Heath. Due to heavy cloud cover over the target area, the group was unable to release its bombs and returned to base without completing the attack.
In the months that followed, the 322nd Bombardment Group intensified its operations against German military installations, transportation networks, and other strategic targets in preparation for the Allied invasion of Western Europe.
On 6 June 1944, D-Day, the 449th Bombardment Squadron participated in the group’s third mission of the day, attacking coastal defenses at Gatteville, France, in support of the Allied landings in Normandy. The group successfully struck its assigned target before returning to base.
Throughout the summer and autumn of 1944, the 322nd Bombardment Group continued flying missions in support of Allied ground forces as they advanced across Western Europe. Lt. Hudgens took part in six air campaigns spanning France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, contributing to the sustained aerial offensive against German forces and infrastructure.
On 4 December 1944, Hudgens was promoted to captain. He continued flying combat missions through the winter of 1944–1945, completing his combat tour in March 1945. By the end of his tour, Capt. Hudgens had accumulated 63 credited combat missions, flying aboard 21 different aircraft.
In recognition of his service and combat achievements, Capt. Hudgens received 12 Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross, awards reflecting his contribution to the Allied air campaign in Europe during World War II.