A Danville man who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross ‘’for extraordinary achievement’’ in the Korean Conflict in 1953 is being honored by the Vermilion County War Museum. First Lieutenant Julius Hegeler II now has a special permanent display at the war museum in his honor.
Hegeler stopped by the War Museum Tuesday and reflected on the day when he was one of four pilots who flew the last mission over North Korea.
‘’We had to flip a coin to see who was going to fly the last mission.’’ [**Note – there is more on this audio.]
Hegeler also noted he served with a special wing man.
‘’John Glenn flew with our squadron, and I was a wingman of John Glenn at least a dozen times – maybe a dozen times. (He was) an excellent pilot. I enjoyed him. He was quite a Tiger. Never in any trouble – never booze or anything like that,’’ said Hegeler.
The display shows several photos and other memorabilia of when Hegeler served in Korea, including his flight jacket. Hegeler is well-known for his kindness in donating millions of dollars to various causes in the Danville/Vermilion County area.
