JD Helton was from the Waco, Texas area and served as a B-26 Marauder pilot during the Second World War. He was part of the original Myrtle Beach contingent that comprised the 456th BS.



On May 29, 1944, Lt. Helton flew with Lt. Paul Watson-N, Lt. Walt Foster-B and crew to the Beauvoir Highway Bridge in the Lead Window Aircraft. They preceded the group of 36 323rd BG aircraft into the heavily defended target area, dropping either narrow strips of metal or nickels (5 cent coins) to interfered with the Luftwaffe's radar assisted 88-MM heavy flak gun batteries defending the Bevoir HW bridge. They were in "The Gremlin II" and sustained Class A battle damage from heavy flak thrown up by the Germans.



The Helton crew flew to Caen Road Junctions C-1 and C-2 over the Orne River on the last mission of the day on D-Day; this appears to have been Helton's 71st mission based on informaiton in Marauder Men. Critical Past footage shows the Helton crew flying in WT-B "The Gremlin II" on that mission as they are about to make landfall on the French Coast; just before they are depicted in the footage, the Battle ship Texas fires a broadside at the Normandy cliffs. The silhouettes of Helton and Foster can be seen in the stills, one of which is in the group of photos above.



On June 10, the same crew flew a flight lead to the secondary target of Viaduc de Clecy where their flight so six aircraft scored at least two direct hits on the RR bridge and numerous direct hits on the highway underpass, thereby frustrating the movement of German reinforcements and supplies to the battlefront. THis appears to have been Helton's 73rd mission. Footage of the bombs of Helton crew's flight of six aircraft scoring direct hits on the railroad bridge over the viaduct near Clecy and the underpass is part of the Critical Past Collection Footage of one of the 323rd's other flight of six that preceeded the Helton led six breaking away from the target is also featured twice in the History Channel's Battle Stations episode on the B-26 Marauder. On the mission to Clecy, the Helton crew were in WT-A "Ole 33 Gal" (a Critical Past still captures them mid-flight) in which their good friend, Dale Rush, and the Tailgunner on Dale's crew had been killed over Dieppe three weeks earlier on May 20.



On June 13, 1844, Lt. Helton raised his hand and asked the visiting Generals Marshall, Arnold and Anderson how many missions he had to fly before he could go back to the States. Gen. Marshall had been prepared to announce during the visit that the B-26 tour of duty would have no limit. According to Moench, Lt. Helton informed the Generals that he had flown 75 missions as of that date and presented the case for a limited tour of duty, and his argument carried the day. The Generals were so impressed by Lt. Helton's composure, they requested a photograph with him. For his advocacy and leadership, Lt. Helton earned the respect and appreciation of his colleagues. Most Marauder combat crews understood that an unlimited tour of duty meant they likely would be killed in action. Morale was suffering under the threat. As a high mission airman, no doubt Lt. Helton knew as well as anyone that survival was largely a numbers game. The Marauder Men who were able to return to the States after completing the 65-mission tour of duty had Lt. Helton and luck or divine grace to thank.



On June 15, the Helton crew flew to the Valognes Fuel Dump. This was considered to be a "hot target". "The Gremlin II", having to penetrate the heavy defenses with the rest of the formation, sustained Class A battle damage. Following this mission, Lt. Helton was able to go home with what appears to have been 76 missions to his credit.



On October 8, Lt. Helton had returned from his much-deserved furlough to the 456th, which was then stationed at Chartes, and was on the loading list to fly with Lt. Smith - Co-P, Lt. Burgmeier-N, and Lt. Foster -B, with each of whom he had flown many missions.



Lt. Helton married and had one son following the war. He passed away in the late 1990's, at about 80 years of age, in the area near Waco, Texas.