Francis E. Heffner.
Navigator · 328th Squadron · Of Detroit, MI.
The man.
Ferried a B-24 across the North Atlantic with his crew, reaching England on July 30, 1944. Flew 30 combat missions (22 as lead crew) with the 93rd Bomb Group at Hardwick from Sept. 11, 1944 to April 17, 1945. Led attack on oil refineries at Magdeburg on March 3; flew low-level mission to resupply airborne troops crossing the Rhine River on March 24th.
Service record.
Missions flown.
Before and after.
Born Oct. 3, 1923 in Detroit, MI. Enlisted in the USAAFR in 1942; active duty Feb. 24, 1943. Basic and cadet training at Miami Beach, FL. Graduated from Selman Field, Monroe, LA as second lieutenant navigator on April 22, 1944. Joined B-24 heavy bomber crew at Peterson Field, CO on May 19, 1944.
Discharged Nov. 27, 1945 as first lieutenant. Awarded Commendation Certificate for Magdeburg and five Air Medals. Resumed education at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI (BS and MS in mechanical engineering). Employed at General Motors Research Laboratories on heat engine research; served last 19 years as assistant department head, Engine Research Department; retired in 1987 after 39.5 years. Married Gini Pachuta in August 1958; living in Troy, MI.