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Ronald
Lee
Helder
MIA (WWII) KIA
March 9, 1917

–

August 1, 1943

Born:

Carson

, 

North Dakota

Home:

Sioux Falls

, 

South Dakota

Buried: 

Maxwell

, 

Nebraska

Cemetery:

Fort McPherson National Cemetery

A total of 5 Medals of Honor and 56 Distinguished Service Crosses, among numerous other awards, were awarded for the August 1, 1943 low-level bombing mission of the Ploesti Oil Refineries, ranking it as perhaps the single-most decorated combat air mission of World War II. Lieutenant Helder’s crew was one of the most decorated in history. Pilot Lloyd Hughes received a posthumous Medal of Honor. All nine other members of the crew were awarded the DSC, and all ten men received Purple Hearts. Eight of the ten men were either killed in action or listed as missing in action. Only two men survived, and were subsequently held as Prisoners of War.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    564th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    389th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    9th Air Force (Attached)

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1943
    Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 89 (September 16, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ronald Lee Helder (ASN: 0-740807), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 564th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Second Lieutenant Helder acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged, and, despite the fact that gasoline was streaming from one of its damaged fuel tanks, he continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Lieutenant Helder, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast at the controls. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Helder on this occasion, at the cost of his life, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.