There we have some of the statistical information on a great man, yes, even a legend (though he is much too modest to claim that title for himself.) Capt. Heiden simply is one of the greatest men I have ever been associated with, and even though our relationship consists solely of e-mails, telephone calls and letters, I feel that my life has been enriched by knowing him.
I have spoken to Maj. Ilfrey, a squadronmate, about Capt. Heiden and he spoke of Art as "one of the best pilots he has ever flown with." This comes as high praise in my eyes, and the mutual admiration between these great men indeed tells one of the bonds forged in combat. Indeed they are never forgotten.
It is also fitting that the P-38 shown on the USPS postage stamp is Art's own mount, "Lucky Lady". As one of the first men to attain 300 combat hours in the 79th.FS, this is a testament to his skills in the cockpit, as are his two victories and the numerous medals he received.
As with this site and it's attempt to compress isolated incidents of a select group of great men into a scant few pages, this somehow just doesn't do Art Heiden justice. Yet, the total lack of regard for such men in the texts our children are taught from is a much greater injustice, so forgive me if I miss something or the facts are not 100% correct - I mean no disrespect. It is not my intention to recount every little facet of Capt. Heiden's career here, this is more a personal tribute, a small way to thank the man for all he has done for all of us and in particular, for his help with this site.
Capt. Heiden came to the 20th.FG as a replacement pilot in one of the darkest periods of the group's history, the 79th.FS had lost half the squadron the day before, including the Deputy Grp. CO, Lt. Col. Montgomery, and the Squadron had been placed in "stand down." This had to have been a daunting position for any pilot to have been put in, yet he perservered. He later refered to the quality of the multi-engine training during the war as bordering on ridiculous, yet despite this handicap and the well-known problems with the P-38's Allison engines during that period, within a short time was in combat and making his mark.
His modesty shows through in one of the first e-mails I received from him:
"We were given the
priviledge of fulfilling our boyhood dreams and the opportunity to be competent.
We also were given a lifetime trade and a GI Bill to expand our life."
While this is true, it still doesn't seem to touch the fact that the Captain spent countless hours inside of an aluminum flying machine and putting his life on the line fighting for the freedoms that we all seem to take for granted these days. A lifetime trade and a assistance to me doen't seem enough in repayment.
Here is another small excerpt from an e-mail the Captain sent me::
"Another point of fact, The most dreaded time of a combat mission... Assembly
after Takeoff for both Bombers and fighters. Into the clouds at 50-feet, can't
even see your wingtip, maybe clouds to past 30,000ft., hoping for the tops to
be low ,so you can form up on flares, bombers trying to get their Combat Wings
together, knowing that if they didn't German Radar was going to set their
fighters on them. From start engines till we were assembled was
the worst part. Like going on stage or pre-game the fear goes away after the
event is started."
Here is a true warrior non-chantlantly speaking of facing a fear most of us can not even fathom. A cursory glance at the damage received on his mount shows that there were many close calls in combat as well...
An interesting aside is a glance at the book "Fork-Tailed Devil:The P-38" by Martin Caidin. This world-famous aviation author takes a backseat and lets Capt. Heiden give us the benefit of his knowledge on the aircraft, and it indeed becomes one of the highlights of this great book. Caidin wrote:
"...Earlier in our story we were introduced to Arthur W. Heiden, a former P-38 pilot with considerable training and combat experience in the airplane. As well as with other fighters. If you will recall, Art Heiden is one of the reasons this book came to pass. But Art wasn't getting off the hook that easily. I wanted a special kind of wrap up for this book, a final critique, and I asked Art to deliver. He did, and I believe his words add the perfect closing touch to the story of the P-38.
"Now, these are his words. His story. His vital contribution to understanding what this airplane was all about..."
Here is a prime example of this man's generosity. Not only was he partly responsible for the creation of what is one of the best books on the aircraft ever written, I would not be reading it if he hadn't arranged for me to have HIS copy! This is in addition to the one of a kind audio tapes that he sent me, which some of the voice waves on this site are taken from, the photographs and memoribilia and the offer to loan me yet another very rare book from his collection. This along with the countless number of e-mails he has sent me with information only he could provide, and his many written contributions to the site as well...In many ways this site is as much his as it is anyones, perhaps even more so, as he is one of the reasons it was created.
As I said earlier, this is more my personal feelings abstractly put into words than an actual tribute per se. I can only hope they convey even a little of how I feel about someone who did this all for me....all the sacrifices in combat, all the support with this site, all the great input and items sent and offered to me, (some quite priceless and rare.)The title legend sticks right next to his many awards and commendations in my mind.
Capt. James Bradshaw and Capt. Heiden at Bradshaw's family home in Florida, Sept., 1944.
Dr. Bradshaw adds "Note that Art's not wearing any of his ribbons."
Perhaps it is best that someone better acquainted with Capt. Heiden have the last word here, so
I have also asked Dr. Robert Bradshaw to write down a few feelings about Capt. Heiden:
" I first met Capt Art 'Ace' Heiden in Sept. 1944 when
he and my brother Capt. Jim 'Brad' Bradshaw came back from their combat
tours in England. My friends and I were in awe of these two Fighter
pilots with their silver wings. I was 15 yrs of age. The problem was
they would both look at you and really would not be seeing you. They
were very polite but had little to say and even then would look at each
other and you could see the bond between them. Art stayed with us for a
week or so in our little wooden house dad had out west of town. He was
so unassuming he didn't even wear his ribbons which showed where he had
been and what he had done. I also wondered how they stuffed him into a
fighter plane cockpit (i think he was about 6'2") as Jim was about 5'7"
and he said it was a tight fit for him! Art was then and is now a
gentleman. The next time I saw him is when we buried my brother Jim in
January of 1982. He had regained his weight and looked so much better then in
Sept. 1944. (Jim weighed about 120 lbs and Ace about 155 lbs. then) He
is truly representative of the young Americans(male and female) that
went off to war to save our country without complaining and without
losing their humanity. A great comrade at arms, friend, husband, father, he is a True War Hero and a great American!
From a friend and admirer who
has great love, respect and admiration for him!"
--Bob Bradshaw.
� � � Kent Higgins, whose father owned the company Art Heiden flew for during the early 50's, wrote the following:
� � � Webster's defines a hero as "A man of distinguished courage or ability,
admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities".� These men were certainly
heroes and Art stood out among them.� As you look at postwar photos
of the people like Art and others, one is struck by
the notion that people with heroic qualities were commonplace then, and
perhaps we didn't apprreciate them enough at the time.� Time is running
short for the WWII generation to share their experiences with us.� A
remarkable generation of men and women who grew up during the depression,
fought a war, and rebuilt a country.� This is a group we can still admire
and look up to.� Art is a naturally talented writer with a story to tell.
I hope he continues to do so..