Bob Hymel

Robert Hymel was one of the victims of the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon. Hymel was a B-52 co-pilot during the Vietnam War. In December 1972, his plane was hit by a missile over Hanoi but managed to fly back to U Tapao, the crew elected to not abandon the aircraft in flight due to the fact that the tail gunner was badly hurt and might not be able to escape the aircraft. Despite having all 4 engines out of action on one side an aborted attempt to land was made. On the second attempt the bomber crashed. Hymel and the wounded gunner where the only survivors of The crash. Hymel was saved when pulled from the burning twisted wreck of the B-52 by the crew of another B-52 which had been parked nearby when Hymel's bomber crashed. 29 years later he was working for the Defense Intelligence Agency as an analyst in the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the wing where he was working at his desk, [...] Hymel instantly. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. During Hymel's funeral in October, a B-52 flew over Arlington National Cemetery and dipped its wings, a rare honor.