Theodore W. Helweg.
Of Chicago, IL.
The man.
Joined 330th Sqdn., 93rd Bomb Group in October 1944. Flew 24 missions as wingman or deputy lead with one abort (caused by a ruptured Napalm bomb in the bomb bay at altitude). On an emergency diversion to a fighter base with short steel-mat runways, made a remarkable short-field landing, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for the landing — though the base commander greeted him with "You SOB, look what you did to my runway." Crew safely completed their tour despite flak holes, lost engines, and close calls.
Service record.
Missions flown.
Before and after.
Born Oct. 3, 1924 in Chicago, IL. Pilot training at Wichita Falls, San Antonio (SACC), Ballinger, and Sherman, TX; received pilot wings at Houston, TX on April 15, 1944. B-24 transition at Fort Worth; crew training at Mountain Home, ID.
Graduated from University of Minnesota in 1949; career in the computer business. Recalled for Korea; transitioned into Mustangs and F-86s. Retired and living in Manhattan near the UN Complex.