The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edwin Lewis Heller (ASN: 0-797827/FR-9900), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the return from Gifhorn, Germany, 8 May 1944. Lieutenant Heller was flying wing position to the flight leader when he observed twenty-plus ME-109’s attacking the lead box of bombers, which his P-51 group was covering on withdrawal support. Lieutenant Heller broke away on the signal for attack and destroyed an ME-109 that had started to break for the deck. By this time, being fairly low, he looked up and noticed several of the bandits coming down on him. Lieutenant Heller picked one out and went up to meet him. He got the first burst in and observed strikes on the enemy’s fuselage. The Hun used violent evasive action when he started trailing smoke, but Lieutenant Heller pursued him down to the deck and they both went into a Luftberry at 140 M.P.H. The German pilot straightened out and prepared to crash-land. Lieutenant Heller, taking full advantage of this position, gave the ME-109 additional short bursts, forcing the enemy aircraft into a bridge where he saw him crash into a river below. All of this was accomplished while at least fifteen more enemy aircraft were in the vicinity. During the engagement, the coolant of his plane was lost and he returned to home base with exceedingly poor engine performance. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Lieutenant Heller, plus his fierce determination to destroy the enemy, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Service Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
386th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
July 27, 1944
Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 63 (July 27, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of 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 and heroism while participating in aerial flight in the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Heller has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, 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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
386th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
May 20, 1944
Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 43 (May 20, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of 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 over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which this officer has sought out the enemy and engaged him, 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.
-
Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
386th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
April 24, 1944
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 44 (July 22, 1944)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 P-47 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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
51st Fighter Interceptor WingDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
November 17, 1952
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 36 (January 16, 1953)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Edwin Lewis Heller (ASN: 0-797827/FR-9900), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over North Korea on 17 November 1952. He was leading a flight of four F-86 type aircraft, 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. Major Heller’s flight was attacked by two MiG-15 aircraft which he immediately outmaneuvered, separating the two enemy aircraft. He closed on one, fired and hit it, causing it to spin out of control. The pilot, unable to recover, bailed out. Major Heller was credited with one MiG-15 destroyed. By his high personal courage and devotion to duty, Major Heller has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
386th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
March 14, 1944
Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 18 (March 14, 1944)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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
386th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
August 15, 1944
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of 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 and heroism while participating in aerial flight in the destruction of three enemy airplanes, and for sharing in the destruction of one enemy airplane over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Heller has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, 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.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
386th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
April 16, 1945
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 80 (May 28, 1945)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 Mustang 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.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
16th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
51st Fighter-Interceptor GroupDivision:
Prisoner of War (China)Action Date:
January 23, 1953 – May 30, 1955
Major Edwin Lewis Heller (ASN: 0-797827/FR-9900), United States Air Force, was captured by communist forces after he was shot down over North Korea on 23 January 1953, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release by the Chinese on 30 May 1955.