Daniel James Helewski
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
HELEWSKI, Daniel James
Daniel James Helewski was born on January 14th 1920 to Daniel & Anna [Weatherhead] Helewski in Duluth, Minnesota. He graduated from Cathedral High School.
Mr. Helewski was inducted into the U.S. Army on October 23rd 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He served as a gunner of a 105 mm. howitzer with Battery B of the 3rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe He rose to the rank of Corporal (CPL).
CPL Helewski was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in December, 1944 at Luxembourg for his heroics in the Battle of the Bulge.
Citation: "Corporal Helewski's battery was taken under small arms and machine gun fire from woods approximately 400 yards to the front of its position. Corporal Helewski returned this fire with the section's 50 caliber machine gun until enemy artillery and mortar fire fell on the position, then he ordered his section to open fire with his howitzer. While directing this fire he laid the piece for range himself, obtaining deadly tree bursts over the hostile positions.
When a damaged round jammed in the bore, Corporal Helewski, despite small arms and mortar fire directed at his section, jumped out of the relative safety of his armored vehicle, ran to the muzzle of the gun and rammed the damaged round out of the bore, thus enabling fire to be resumed. This fire neutralized hostile enemy machine gun and artillery observation, stopped a dangerous enemy attack which threatened to penetrate friendly lines, and resulted in the surrender of 120 of the enemy. Corporal Helewski's quick thinking, command of his section and courageous action inspired and steadied his men during a critical situation..."
CPL Helewski also earned the folowing merits for his service:
- Good Conduct Medal,
- European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with 3 bronze battle stars,
- American Campaign Medal,
- World War II Victory Medal, -and-
- two overseas service bars.
He was honorably discharged December 2nd 1945 at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. After the war he returned home and married Lois [Sata] on July 15th 1950 and they started a family.
Mr. Helewski died on October 10th 1999 at 79 years of age in Duluth. He is buried at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery in Hermantown, Minnesota.
Source(s): Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 110.
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Page 1 WWII Draft Registration Cards - Fold3
Daniel James “Jim” Helewski Sr. (1920-1999) - Find a Grave Memorial
