“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to properly honor one of our veterans,” Ross said.  “Mr. Huntsinger had an outstanding military career with the U.S. Army Air Corps during the Second World War.  He flew fifty combat missions out of Italy, and in the incident that earned him the Flying Cross distinction, he demonstrated incredible ingenuity and resourcefulness, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers as they fought for their country.  I welcome any opportunity to thank our veterans and to hear their stories, and this is quite a story!” 

Ray Huntsinger served as a flight engineer with the United States Army Air Corps, now the Air Force, during World War II.  During a mission to bomb Nazi oil reserves in Romania, Huntsinger’s plane suffered damaged from anti-aircraft fire.  He examined the plane and found that its hydraulic lines, which affect the air brakes and landing gear, had been ruptured.  After notifying the pilot that he would have to make an emergency landing, Huntsinger set to work.  Using materials he found on the plane, he constructed a patch over the damaged lines, and he strapped parachutes to the plane’s waist to slow it down after landing.  After circling the airfield until all emergency vehicles were in place, the pilot began his descent, and executed a perfect landing – the makeshift patch saved the day. 

“It just goes to show you how a seemingly insignificant thing can result in significant conclusions,” Huntsinger said.  “You never can tell.” 

Years later, after retiring to Hot Springs Village, Huntsinger recounted the story to a friend of his who happened to be a retired Air Force Colonel.  That friend submitted the story to the Air Force, and almost sixty years after that mid-flight repair, Huntsinger was awarded the Flying Cross Medal. 

 Ross will present the medal to Huntsinger on Saturday morning in a special ceremony at Hot Springs Village.  For more information, call 501-922-2966.