Donovan Garrett Helgeson
MilitaryPilot Donovan G. Helgeson was my Great-uncle.
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
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- 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
- 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
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
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
https://www.fold3.com/image/169243672
https://www.fold3.com/page/84573069/donovan-g-helgeson
https://www.fold3.com/record/64659328/donovan-helgeson-social-security-…
https://www.fold3.com/record/84573069/donovan-g-helgeson-wwii-army-enli…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191960415/donovan-garrett-helgeson
Information is compiled from my Great-uncle Donovan Helgeson's service record.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://95thbg.org/95th_db_pages/left_formation_code/gethonoroll.php