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fBack to "Roster"... Colonel Helmantoler was offered a promotion to Major by Colonel Ford to stay another six months, but opted to return to the United States in August 1945. He was stationed at Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi and while in the Air Force flew the C-47, OA-10A, B-17, B-24, B-25, and P-38. He remained in the Air Force, but completed his Bachelor's and Masters Degrees at Boston University in 1950. He retired after a long and storied career as a full Colonel in August 1969.
His awards and decorations included: Silver Star, Legion of Merit (4 BS), Air Medal (7 OLC), World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal (7 Battle Stars), National Defense Service ribbon, Air Force Commendation Medal, & Pilot Wings. |
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Colonel (USAF Ret.) Willis L. Helmantoler, ASN 0-665020, (1921 - )
was born on August 6, 1921 in New Columbia, Illinois. After graduation from East Alton -
Woodriver High School in Woodriver, Illinois, he attended the University of Illinois for
three years. He then signed up for the Army in 1941 and reported in January 1942. Colonel
Helmantoler completed flight training on October 9, 1942 at Kelly Field, Texas with a
follow on assignment as an instructor for two classes until the base closed. He moved to
Tampa, Texas awaiting assignment to the Pacific to the 13th Air Force as a C-47 pilot and
Operations Officer. It was as an Operation Officer that Colonel Ford asked him to join the
newly formed 13th Rescue Group as their Operations Officer. Captain Helmantoler was
checked out in the OA-10A by Captain Gerard F. Wientjes and flew many rescue missions with
the 2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron.