Major Henry A. Heim's story is one of the Air Force's finest. During 4 tours of combat flying in two wars, he went above and beyond the excepted norms and exemplified the highest qualities of a Combat Aircraft pilot/commander.

Wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbor, he then completed 16 anti-submarine patrol missions as a Waist Gunner on the B-18 Bomber. Subsequently testing for pilot, he was the first of his class to solo in 7 hrs & 10 minutes, becoming one of 85 to graduate from a class of 204. It was the first class of "Flight Officers;" his Serial Number was T-98.

Completing training on the new B-17 Flying Fortress, he was soon in combat over North Africa and Italy. He served as Squadron Leader, Deputy Group Leader, and Group Leader pilot for the 2nd Bombardment Group, 20th Squadron. Flying perilous Missions over Italy, Austria, Hungary and Germany, he received a "Battlefield Commission" to 2nd Lt shortly before completing his 50th Mission. Normally "Battlefield Commissions" are only given to Ground Officers.

Volunteering for a second tour of duty, he completde over 25 additional missions for a total of over 75 Missions in the European Theater of Operations. Serving as Co-Pilot for Maj Richard Headrick, he participated in the "Surrender of Sardinia." During a heroic mission to Bucharest, Romania (completed at night without fighter escort), he rescued 8 seriously wounded American servicemen. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (see citation below) soon thereafter (September 1944).

During the Korean Conflict he served as Aircraft Commander, flying B-29s for the 307th Bombardment Wing, 370th Squadron. During his tour he logged more flight time than any other Aircraft Commander (during the same time period), completing 51 Missions.

In addition to the DFC, he received 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, and the Air Medal with 11 clusters - among many other awards during his career.

Citation to accompany the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross:

For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the North African and Mediterranean Theaters of Operations. Consistently performing vital strategic combat missions against heavy enemy opposition from highly aggressive fighter aircraft and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, the personnel listed below have displayed outstanding courage, aggressiveness and intense devotion to duty throughout all engagements. Although their aircraft have been frequently severely damaged by heavy enemy opposition, these men have consistently fought through to their targets, aiding materially in the utter destruction of vitally important enemy installations. Bringing their ships through severe and adverse weather conditions, over rugged terrain and surmounting many other major obstacles, these men have gallantly engaged, fought and defeated the enemy with complete disregard for their personal safety and against overwhelming odds. : Their conspicuous and extraordinary achievements throughout these many missions against the enemy have been of inestimable value to successful combat operations and have reflected great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States of America,

HENRY A. HEIM, 0-17038081, First Lieutenant, 20th Bomb Sq., 2nd Bomb Gp., Wisconisco, Pennsylvania. Pilot, Romania, 6 September 1944.