Julian M Hexum
Military
REAR L-R: Forrest G. Seaver, Unkn, Unkn, John W. "Junior" Clifton, Unkn. FRONT L-R: Unkn, Unkn, James H McPartlin, Julian M Hexum.
This is the first crew of The Shamrock Special. Julian M. Hexum was lead bombardier on most of this crew's missions. According to Ron Hexum, the oldest of 5 offspring from Julian and Janet Hexum, his father (Julian) was considered the "old man" of his crew at 26 years old when the above photo was taken. Ron believes that his father was a 1st Lt. at the time of the photo. He returned from WWII as a Captain (battle promotions to officer rank as he started his tour of duty as a Sgt.). Julian also flew a mission on The Bad Penny and Old Bill during the time The Shamrock Special had the whole tail section replaced (lost after a collision on the ground). Julian downed two confirmed FW-190s using the nose guns of The Shamrock Special.
Object Number - UPL 50596 - "Capt. McPartlin and crew of the 401th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, beside the Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" "The Shamrock...
Julian Hexum married Janet Hegele before shipping out in December 1942 with the 91st Bomber Group. A bombardier/navigator with 322 Squadron he flew on some 25 missions and was awarded the DFC.
He stayed on in the Air Force until 1965, serving in the Korean conflict and retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was an 'avid' outdoorsman, enjoying travel, camping and fishing and also raised horses and Airedale and Welsh terriers. He died 17th January 2003 being survived by his wife and their five children.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: A0438109
- Highest Rank: Brigadier General
- Role/Job: Squadron Commander
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Shamrock Special
- Unit: VIII Air Force Service Command 91st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 336th Bomb Squadron 401st Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Polk County, Wisconsin | 17 April 1917 | Son of Oscar and Clara Hexum. |
|
Died |
Boise, Idaho | 17 January 2003 | Died Boise, Idaho |
|
Buried |
Terrace Lawn Memorial GardensMeridian, Ada County, Idaho | 20 January 2003 | Interred Terrace Lawn Memorial Gardens Meridian, Ada County, Idaho, |
Revisions
Biography completed by historian Helen Millgate. Information sourced from newsletters of the 91st Bomb Group related to the service of Julian Hexum.
