World War II Honoree

Leo A. Hettiger

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Mrs. Leo A. Hettiger

Relationship

Wife

AIRCRAFT COMMANDER OF B-24 LIBERATOR BOMBER WITH 15TH AIR FORCE, BASED IN SPINAZZOLA, ITALY. SHOT UP BADLY OVER LENZ, AUSTRIA; SAFELY CRASH LANDED HIS AIRCRAFT AT AN AUXILIARY AIRSTRIP IN YUGOSLAVIA. PARTISANS LED HIM AND HIS 9 CREW MEMBERS BY NIGHT FOR A WEEK, TO THE ADRIATIC SEA, WHERE A BRITISH PBY SEAPLANE PICKED THEM UP AND TOOK THEM TO SAFETY AT NAPLES, ITALY. WWII DECORATIONS INCLUDE THE AIR MEDAL WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. LATER SERVED WITH THE U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVE; RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY. SAW ACTION DURING THE KOREAN CONFLICT AND THE VIETNAM WAR AND RETIRED AS A LIEUTENANT COLONEL.