Saundersfoot war veteran honoured by First Minister
Mr Hilling served in India, Japan and Malaya after joining the RAF in April 1944, later transferring to the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
He was among the first British troops to enter Hiroshima and Nagasaki following the atomic bombings in August 1945.
Mr Hilling said: "I went out to Japan and spent a year there, it was a fascinating country.
"We arrived before any other troops, we went to Hiroshima and the horrors of the atomic bomb were still there, it was hideous.
"We asked people what they remembered about the bomb, and they couldn't remember anything, just a flash.
"To me it was horrible, my comrades, six of us, felt the same.
"I don't think people can ever understand what it was like.
"Let's hope to goodness it never happens again."
He was one of 11 siblings, seven of whom also served during the war.
All survived.
He added: "I was absolutely amazed by the First Minister coming to see me and giving me a letter of thanks.
"I think of all the boys who were in Japan with me, nearly all of them gone now as I am nearly 100."
The tribute was presented as part of Wales' commemoration of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which marks Victory over Japan and the end of the Second World War.
VJ Day is observed on August 15 and honours those who served in the Asia-Pacific campaign.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: "It is a privilege to personally thank Mr Hilling for his incredible service and sacrifice.
"His experiences in Hiroshima and Nagasaki remind us of the true cost of war and the courage of those who served in Asia-Pacific.
"On this 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we honour all veterans like Mr Hilling who helped secure the peace and freedom we enjoy today."
Mr Hilling's story was one of many shared for this year's VJ Day events, which included commemorations across Wales to remember those who served and fell in the Far East.
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John began to home in on the target, whose status as a U-boat was confirmed by fire from its 37 mm gun. Appleton wrote in his memoir: 'The skipper manoeuvred into a perfect attacking position astern of the submarine, just out of range of the enemy gunfire. He gave a blast on the klaxon and started the attack run-in from about two miles.' As the plane got closer, flak from the U-boat intensified and was reinforced as its two pairs of 20mm cannon opened up. The skipper manoeuvred into a perfect attacking position astern of the submarine, just out of range of the enemy gunfire. He gave a blast on the klaxon and started the attack run-in from about two miles John Appleton John flew on and appeared to have released the depth charges at the right moment. But the bombs had hung up, so he then took the plane out of range of the U-boat, while his crew rearmed their own guns and checked the bomb-release mechanism. 'Everyone ready! Here we go again,' said John over the intercom. Of the second attack, Appleton recalled: 'This time all the flak was bursting much closer to us and I was surprised at how thick it could be. 'We seemed to be flying into a wall of black explosions.' But again, John descended upon the target without hesitation. This time the depth charges hit their target with deadly accuracy. Seconds later, the U-boat began to sink. None of the 52 men on board had a chance of survival. But by now John's plane, caught by more enemy fire, was in serious trouble. Flames and smoke began to fill the aircraft. The radar was wrecked and the nose canopy shattered. One crewman was dead and four others were badly wounded, including John, who had been hit in his chest and legs and was bleeding heavily. But all was not lost. With the use of extinguishers, some of the uninjured crewmen put out the fire. As the co-pilot took over the controls, John was carried to the back of the plane. Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the service Citation from Victoria Cross ceremony Lapsing in and out of consciousness, he was in tremendous pain but refused any morphine from the emergency safety kit because he wanted to keep alert so he could help bring the Catalina boat plane home to Sullom Voe. With almost superhuman fortitude, he returned to the cockpit to oversee the final descent just as dawn was breaking. After landing successfully on the water, he ran the shattered plane on to the beach. He had to be given an emergency blood transfusion before being taken to Lerwick Hospital, where he was found to have suffered 72 wounds. Yet, by September, he was fit enough to receive the Victoria Cross from King George VI in Edinburgh, the first time Holyrood House had been used for an investiture since the reign of Queen Victoria. His citation read: 'Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.' But he was a man of profound modesty who hated talking about his exploits. Even at his investiture, he crept out of a side door afterwards to avoid the attention of the press and public. In the same vein, when he had regained consciousness in the stricken Catalina, the first thing he said was: 'How are my crew?' Though he had recuperated imp-ressively in hospital, the legacy of his injuries was too severe to allow him to return to flying duties, so for the rest of the war he held a staff job at Coastal Command HQ. Later, on demobilisation at the end of the war, he resumed his career in banking, eventually working in international finance before he retired in 1977. Happily married, he lost his beloved wife Marion in 1985. In his final years, in sheltered accommodation, he disliked any fuss, whether about his VC or his birthdays. Barney Crockett, the former Lord Provost of his native Aberdeen, once said John was 'from a generation that never sought the spotlight'. But it was also the generation that saved the world from tyranny.
