Donovan Garrett Helgeson

Military
media-29675.jpeg UPL 29675 Photo of B17 Flight Crew taken November 28, 1944 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. (Photo courtesy of Dave Serbin)

Pilot Donovan G. Helgeson was my Great-uncle.

Object Number - UPL 29675 - Photo of B17 Flight Crew taken November 28, 1944 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. (Photo courtesy of Dave Serbin)

Assigned to 322BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. 25 x combat missions as Top Turret/Engineer. ETD

Re-trained as a pilot. Assigned to 334BS, 95BG, 8AF USAAF. 28 x combat missions as pilot. ETD





Awards: DFC, (5OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (5 x Battle Stars).

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37554022
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner ; Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17096299 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36881731
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37485312
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36952515
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Fire Ball Red
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
A crsashed B-17F Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3273) of the 95th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "1746. MRU. 12-23-43. Repps, Norfolk Co. B-17F, 42-3273. A." Handwritten caption on reverse: '22/12/43 A.' On reverse: Damaged USAAF Photographic Station 505 [Stamp].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Impatient Virgin
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Better Duck
  • Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 862nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Winged Warrior
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Joice, IA 30 January 1921 Son of Joseph and Effie [Garrett] Helgeson.

Enlisted

Jefferson Barracks, St Louis, MO 5 September 1941 Jefferson Barracks, Missouri

Other

Discharged USAAF

27 December 1946

Died

29 March 1997

Buried

Maple Ridge Cemetery Maple Ridge, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada Maple Ridge Cemetery Maple Ridge, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada *Burial location assumed.

Based

Bassingbourn Assigned to 322BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. (Top Turret/Engineer)

Based

Horham Assigned to 334BS, 95BG, 8AF USAAF. (Pilot)

Other

Flight training

Re-trained as Pilot.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
Contributorjeepster298
Changes
Sources

Service record

Date
Contributorjeepster298
Changes
Sources

Information is compiled from my Great-uncle Donovan Helgeson's service record.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes

Donovan Garrett Helgeson: Gallery (2 items)