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Edwin Heller
| Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Heller (deceased) Ed Heller joined the Service in 1942 and during World War II flew both the P-51 and P-47 in the European Theater with the 352nd Fighter Group, becoming an Ace with 5 1/2 victories. Flying F-86s with the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing in Korea he scored a further 3 1/2 victories before being shot down, resulting in two and a half years as a prisoner of war of the Chinese. Ed Heller died on 17th May 2004. Citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edwin Lewis Heller (ASN: 0-797827/FR-9900), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in accomplishing fifty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which this Officer has sought out the enemy and engaged him in aerial combat, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions, serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Citation for the Distinguished Service Cross: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edwin Lewis Heller (ASN: 0-797827/FR-9900), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in the 386th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 24 April 1944, during an air mission over Germany. On that date, Lieutenant Heller with his flight leader attacked a strongly defended enemy airdrome and Lieutenant Heller destroyed three enemy aircraft. In the attack the flight leader was lost. Lieutenant Heller then set course for home alone. Spotting another airdrome with many planes parked in the dispersal area, and with complete disregard for the intense anti-aircraft fire and the hazards of low level attack, Lieutenant Heller coolly selected a target, attacked and destroyed two airplanes. He again set course for home and soon found another air field loaded with airplanes. Although his fuel and ammunition supply was low and he was deep in enemy territory, he fearlessly flew into an intense barrage of ground fire and with his remaining ammunition sprayed buildings, aircraft, and enemy personnel. In this attack he destroyed two airplanes and damaged others. During all these attacks, Lieutenant Heller destroyed seven enemy airplanes, damaged five others, and inflicted damage on buildings and other installations. The courage, skill, and determination to destroy the enemy displayed by Lieutenant Heller reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Citation for the Silver Star: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Edwin Lewis Heller (ASN: 0-797827/FR-9900), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 386th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, while leading a Flight of P-51 Fighters on an escort and strafing mission over Germany, on 16 April 1945. Locating an enemy airdrome on which approximately seventy-five aircraft were parked, Captain Heller led his Flight across the field in the face of terrific ground fire to expose the gun positions. Despite the fact his plane was damaged on the initial pass, he neutralized two gun installations and then made sweep after sweep over the field. When the attack broke off, Captain Heller had personally destroyed seven and damaged one enemy aircraft on the ground. Captain Heller's bold and daring attack and determination to destroy the enemy at any cost inspired his fellow flyers to new heights of achievement. |
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Hunting Party by Robert Watts. Mig Alley! That chilling destination synonymous with the dawn of the jet ages first large-scale air battles; deadly contests fought at unprecedented speeds in an aerial battleground in the thin air high above a hostile faraway land. Quick to react to the Communist invasion of South Korea, American fighter pilots, many already World War II Aces, were more than able to meet the North Korean challenge flying their trusty P-51 Mustangs, and two new jets, the F-80 Shooting Star and the F9F Panther. All that changed one bright November day: a patrol of P-51s were pounced upon by shiny new swept wing fighters bearing the Red Star of the Chinese Air Force, and as the flight of Russian-built MiG-15s hurtled past at near supersonic speed, it became evident that America would have to move its new F-86 Sabre into the front line. When the two new planes finally met in combat over Korea, so alike was their configuration and performance, it was difficult to tell them apart. The MiGs high rate of climb and service ceiling gave it an advantage, but the manoeuvrability and rock-steady response of the F-86 was an edge in a dogfight. The real difference was the pilots! Fighting with the disadvantage of having to fly 200 miles to the battle zone, the skill and courage of the F-86 pilots has become legend. With speeds often nudging the sound barrier, and performing combat manoeuvres at 600 m.p.h. imposing crushing G-forces, the F-86 pilots ran up a spectacular kill ratio of 8:1 against the MiGs. In Robert Watts powerful painting, the frosty morning air is shattered by a hunting party of F-86 Sabres of the U.S. 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, as they blast off the runway at Kimpo airfield, South Korea. Led by Gabby Gabreski, they are headed north to the Yalu River, and Mig Alley. |
Sabre's Edge - Tribute to Edwin L 'Ed' Heller by Ivan Berryman. Already an ace in WWII, Ed Heller was again to find himself involved in aerial combat during the conflict in Korea, now flying the mighty F-86 Sabre with the 25th FIS, 51st FIW against the potent MiG15. Moving to 16th FIS as Squadron Commander, he was to claim 3.5 victories over MiGs before being shot down himself in January 1953. His release from captivity by the Chinese did not occur until two years after the war ended but, upon repatriation, he returned to the air flying F-100s during the Cuban Missile Crisis, finally retiring in 1967. He is depicted here in Hell-er Bust X, claiming a MiG 15. |
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