Alerts Sign-up
Col. Richard Heyman, a retired US Air Force officer, shared his experiences from a career that spanned three major conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Heyman's journey began with a strong desire to serve his country following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Despite being too young to enlist immediately, he joined the military after completing high school.
Heyman completed pilot training in 1943 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army Air Forces. He was stationed in the United Kingdom with the Eighth Air Force during World War II, where he flew approximately 125 missions in a Lockheed P-38 Lightning on bomber escort duty. Reflecting on his experience, Heyman said, “There were moments of sheer terror,” but emphasized that focus on the mission was paramount.
Following World War II, Heyman returned to civilian life but was recalled for service during the Korean War. He flew an A-26 Invader with the Third Bomb Wing and participated in between 50 and 75 missions. One notable incident involved downing a North Korean Po-2 biplane during a night mission.
