World War II Honoree

Edward F. Heiberger

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Dubuque, Iowa

CENTRAL FIRE CONTROL, GUNNER FLYING IN B-29 SUPER FORTRESS. COMPLETED 37 COMBAT MISSIONS FROM SAIPAN TO JAPAN, SHOOTING DOWN SEVERAL JAPANESE FIGHTER PLANES. SURVIVED INTENSE FIGHTER ATTACKS, ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE, DELIBERATE COLLISION ATTEMPTS BY FIGHTERS AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OVER MANY MILES OF SEA. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH 4 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION. TOUR OF DUTY WAS COMPLETED AND WAS ON THE WAY HOME WHEN THE 1ST ATOMIC BOMB WAS DROPPED ON HIROSHIMA.