CRESWELL, Ore. — To many, Colonel Richard “Dick” Heyman may not be a household name, but his story mirrors that of countless young men who answered the call during World War II.
Heyman grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where watching British pilots train nearby sparked his passion for aviation. Eager to serve, he enlisted with his father’s permission before turning 18. In a paper for the Royal Air Force Museum, Heyman recalled beginning cadet training in June and preflight training that October. By 1944, at just 19 years old, he was headed to the United Kingdom.
There, Heyman flew escort missions protecting bombers over enemy territory. On March 1, 1944, he launched his first mission over Northern France. In the months that followed, he flew multiple operations — including three separate missions on June 6, 1944, better known as D-Day — a pivotal turning point in the war.
After World War II, Heyman married his wife, Barbara. He continued his military career, serving in the Korean War and the Vietnam War before retiring. The couple eventually settled in Creswell, Oregon.
Eighty years after D-Day, Heyman’s service received international recognition. In December 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded him France’s highest national honor, the Legion of Honor, for his role in liberating France.
Heyman passed away on Jan. 25, 2026, after falling ill. With the help of supporters and the Royal Air Force Museum, Barbara Heyman received the Legion of Honor on his behalf.
Among those honoring his legacy were Virginie Durr and Dominique Geulin, both born in Normandy, France. They grew up walking the same beaches where Allied forces landed in 1944 — beaches made free through the sacrifices of service members like Heyman. Today, they help keep those stories alive.
At a recent ceremony, friends and supporters reflected on Heyman’s life and service. Angela Coleman and Larry Martin shared his journey from a determined young cadet to a decorated colonel and war hero. Coleman also presented Barbara with a pair of Royal Air Force “Sweetheart” wings — a symbol often exchanged between RAF pilots and loved ones before takeoff.
Barbara Heyman said she is deeply moved that her husband’s story continues to resonate decades later.
“These things are still living in people’s minds,” she said. “They’re fresh just like they were all those years ago.”
Through the memories of those in Normandy, the dedication of historians and veterans’ advocates, and the love of his family, Colonel Richard “Dick” Heyman’s legacy continues — a reminder that the courage of one young pilot helped shape the freedom generations enjoy today.
Leave a Comment