[Edwin L. Heller oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_099SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeHeller, Edwin L.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Edwin L. Heller, August 1989. Part 1 of 2.

Text on label: "Edwin L. Heller. 486th FS, 352n FG. 8/89."AbstractIn this two-part oral history, fighter ace Edwin L. Heller discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. In part one, he describes his experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in Europe with the 486th Fighter Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group. Special focus on a bomber escort mission to Germany on May 8, 1944 in which Heller scored two aerial victories and afterwards managed to make it back to England in a damaged North American P-51 Mustang.BiographyEdwin L. Heller was born on December 5, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 and graduated from flight school the following year. Deployed to the European Theater of Operations, Heller served with the 486th Fighter Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group, flying missions over Germany, Poland, and other areas of mainland Europe. He remained in the military after World War II and went on to command the 16th Fighter Squadron during the Korean War. During that conflict, he was shot down over China and spent several years as a prisoner of war. Released in 1953, Heller then served in a number of command positions with the Air Defense Command, Air Training Command, and Tactical Air Command. He retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1967 and passed away in 2004.Creation Date1989-08SubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryFighter pilotsHeller, Edwin L.North American P-51 Mustang FamilyRAF Bodney (England)United States. Army Air ForcesUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 352ndUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 486thWorld War, 1939-1945PlaceEnglandGermanyExtent1 sound cassette (15 min., 43 sec.) : analog ; 4 x 2.5 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)audiocassettesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscription[Edwin L. Heller oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

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[Edwin L. Heller oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]