User:WW2FamilyMember/sandbox

Jim Heckman  STORY 

James Heckman went into the Army Air Core and flew P-47's and P-51's in the European Theatre. The average life-span of a WW2 in the 362nd Fighter Group was 3 missions, Heckman flew 53. He was eventually shot down on mission #53 and escaped death with 1st degree burns to over 90% his body into Nazi Germany. He evaded the SS and was taken into hiding by the German town-folk (Schmidt Family). He was given medicine and cared for until the Americans came and found him. After the war Jim spent his time volunteering in the Civil Air Patrol.

 AWARDS RECEIVED 

Received numerous medals including:

- Good Service Medal

- Prisoner of War Medal

- Purple Heart

- Army Air Medal

- European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal

- American Campaign Medal

- World-War 2 Victory Medal

Also received 2 Presidential Unit Citations


 * 362nd Fighter Group
 * Purple Heart
 * Army Air Medal
 * Prisoner of War Medal
 * Veterans History Project - Library of Congress

DEATH

Ironically Jim Heckman passed away 65 years later on the same date in which he was shot down on.