Supplied by David Heise:
"Arthur Heise, born 7 Jan 1918 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH; died 10
Jan 1953 in Korea while serving with the USAF during the Korean War;
married 4 Mar 1944 in Great Bend, Barton County, KS to
Pascoe, born in Great Bend, Barton County, KS.
Arthur graduated from Parma-Shaff High School in 1936, he then attended
Max Hays Trade School on Eagle Ave. (now Herman Ave.) in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Max Hays Trade School had a four year carpenter's apprentice course
where Art studied part-time and worked for his father the rest of the time.
Art was one of the first men to be drafted by the new Selective Service 25
February 1941. He was inducted at Ft. Hays, Ohio on 28 February 1941 and
then on to Chanute Field, IL for Airplane Mechanic training. In November
of 1942 Art went to flight school training in Santa Ana, CA and was
commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant (SN O-750985) in the US Army Air Corps 28
July 1943, then on to "four engine pilot" school in Roswell, NM until 4
October 1943. From 5 October 1943 through 31 December 1943 Art was
stationed with the 678th Sq., 444th Bomber Group in Great Bend, KS.
On 1 January 1944, the 444th BG was deployed to India where it stay until
14 January 1945 when it then deployed to Tinian of the Mariana Islands.
Art was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant 1 March 1944. Art was with the 444th
BG until 24 July 1945 when he was detached and sent back to the "states" to
be separated. Art was separated from active service 6 January 1946.
Lt. Arthur Heise flew 28 combat missions and had 350 combat hours in
B-24's and B-29's during this time. On 14 February 1945 he was awarded the
"Distinguished Flying Cross" in General Order 42 from the 20th Air Force
for the period from 9 May 1944 to 7 January 1945. He also received three
"Air Medals" during his time overseas.
After Art was separated from active service, he returned to Great Bend, KS
and worked for his wife's father on their farm. Art then moved to
Cleveland, Ohio and worked for his father in Heise Homes, Inc. At night he
would play the piano in nightspots in and around Cleveland (Art was an
accomplished pianist). He then returned to Kansas and worked on his wife's
father's farm in Great Bend.
Lt. Arthur Heise was promoted to Captain in the USAF Reserves 13 February
1950, and was recalled to active duty 26 February 1951 when he was
confirmed as a Captain in the USAF. Capt. Heise was transferred to the
372nd Bomber Sq., 307th Bomber Wing, 20th Bomber Command, SAC in Kadina AFB
in Okinawa 1 October 1952 after receiving refresher training in the B-29.
Capt. Arthur Heise was the Aircraft Commander of a B-29 Bomber flying out
of Kadina AFB in Okinawa during the Korean War. On 10 January 1953, he was
on a bombing mission over the Anju Marshaling Yard, as part of "Stardust"
flight--Art's plane was Stardust 39--when his B-29 (Aircraft Number
44-61802) was hit by enemy fire from "Migs" immediately prior to bombs away
(2038 hours). Stardust's fighter escort was not with them because they had
been briefed to join up with Stardust 37 1/2 minutes later--either Stardust
was early or the fighter escort was late. Immediately following bombs away
and while still under attack the aircraft started losing altitude. A
"Mayday" call was received from the aircraft at 2048 hours. At 2053 hours
the aircraft commander reported "Hit Bad, have wounded men, will try to get
to K-13". After crossing the river Chinnampo, at 2106 hours the aircraft
commander reported "We are bailing out, number-three engine on fire".
Twelve of thirteen members of the crew bailed out--and reported that they
never saw Capt. Heise' parachute. Capt. Heise flew the burning B-29 toward
friendly lines while USAF Fighter Jets followed him, however, the B-29
continued to descend until it hit the side of a mountain (BT 7550) at
approximately 2117 hours and exploded. It is believed that Capt. Heise was
trying to get as close to friendly lines as possible before deciding to
bail out, and possibly thought that he could make it over the ridge of the
mountain that he finally crashed into. When friendly forces got to the
wreckage, there was no trace of Capt. Heise. All twelve crew members were
repatriated under "Operation Big Switch", and another POW (a Major David F.
MacGhee) reported that a Chinese interrogator informed him that the North
Koreans had found Capt. Heise' remains in the wreckage. Capt. Heise was
declared dead 12 January 1954 and a M.I.A. marker was placed in Arlington
National Cemetery, Memorial Section H-391.
Capt. Heise flew 16 combat missions and had 110 combat hours in B-29's and
was awarded a fourth "Air Medal" during this time. He was awarded the
"Silver Star" and "Purple Heart" posthumously.
Capt. Heise' Citation for the Silver Star was authorized by the Far East
Air Forces Headquarters General Orders Number 215 on 2 May 1953 and read as
follows: "Captain Arthur Heise, AO750985, United States Air Force. Captain
Heise distinguished himself by gallantry in action against an enemy of the
United Nations as Aircraft Commander of a B-29 type aircraft, 372d
Bombardment Squadron, 307th Bombardment Wing, Medium, on 10 January 1953.
On that date, approximately five minutes before reaching the assigned
target, two members of the crew were wounded and two engines and the
elevator surfaces were so seriously damaged by enemy fighter attacks that
it was impossible to maintain the assigned bombing altitude. Considering
the importance of the target, the Auju Marshaling Yards, Captain Heise
elected to complete the mission, and descended to emergency altitude to
continue the bomb run. [It should be pointed out that a big part of a
bomber's defense is to stay with the flight group, once separated from the
flight group, the enemy fighters will be drawn to the lone bomber like
wolves to a wounded calf.] Despite continued enemy fighter attacks,
Captain Heise successfully bombed the assigned target, and headed the
aircraft toward a friendly forward airfield. Even though abandonment of
the aircraft was imminent, Captain Heise chose to attempt reaching an
emergency airfield in order to provide greater safety for his wounded crew
members and insure immediate medical attention. However, a fire in the
aircraft necessitated a bail-out. Captain Heise's decision to delay
abandonment of the aircraft greatly enhanced the chances of survival of his
wounded crew members by allowing them sufficient time to prepare for
bail-out. The exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by
Captain Heise were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service,
and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the
United States Air Force."
It only needs to be said that Art never forgot that he was an enlisted man
first and all his crew genuinely liked and respected him, as evident by the
communications that Art's wife has received since the end of the Korean
War.
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