World War II Honoree

James H. Helms

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Crestview, Florida

Honored By

Larry A. Rickert

ENLISTED AS A PRIVATE IN MAY 1942 AND SERVED IN NEW GUINEA WITH THE 66TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON, 433RD AIR GROUP, 5TH AIR FORCE. THE 66TH ARRIVED IN NEW GUINEA IN JULY 1943 AND BEGAN COMBAT SUPPORT OPERATIONS PROVIDING SUPPLIES TO THE TROOPS AND EVACUATING THE WOUNDED. DURING THE WAR, THE SQUADRON WAS HONORED WITH THE U.S. AND PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS. HE FIRST APPEARED ON THE SQUADRON'S MONTHLY REPORT OF COMBAT CREW FLYING TIME, AS A SERGEANT, IN JANUARY 1944, WITH 29 COMBAT MISSIONS. BY APRIL 1944, HE HAD LOGGED 179 COMBAT MISSIONS, WAS PROMOTED TO STAFF SERGEANT, AND AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. BY SEPTEMBER 1944, HE HAD LOGGED 196 COMBAT MISSIONS, AND IN OCTOBER A PUBLIC RELATIONS RELEASE WAS MADE. HE WAS ALSO AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL WITH AN OAK LEAF CLUSTER. AS THE FLIGHT ENGINEER ON A C-47 TRANSPORT, HE WAS ONE OF FOUR CREW MEMBERS. ON DECEMBER 7, DURING A ROUTINE OPERATIONAL FLIGHT FROM BIAK ISLAND, INDONESIA TO MOROTAI ISLAND, INDONESIA, THE CREW AND THEIR C-47 DISAPPEARED. AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCH EFFORTS, NEITHER THE CREW, NOR THE AIRCRAFT, WERE FOUND. ON JANUARY 15, 1945 HE WAS OFFICIALLY REMOVED FROM THE SQUADRON'S ROLL.