Frank J. Helbling

T-Sgt. Frank J. Helbling of Mandan was killed in action in Germany on March 31, according to a telegram received by his wife, Mrs. Pauline Helbling, who makes her home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lanz of Mandan. T-Sgt. Helbling is a 1938 graduate from Mandan High School and entered the Army in June, 1942.

While in Langenbach, Germany on 03-31-1945, the 335th Field Artillery Battalion performed maintenance on the vehicles, rested, and went fishing. During this time, Warrant Officer Zeigler, TSgt Helbling, Pfc. Gallagher and Pfc. Webb were assigned to a ration truck to bring rations to the rest of the Battalion. The ration truck was ambushed by the Germans as it was coming over the crest of a hill. It was fired on by machine guns from the woods. TSgt. Helbling was killed immediately by a round which had come through the side of the truck. Warrant Officer Zeigler was shot in the arm and suffered a severe fracture. Pfc. Gallagher and Pfc. Webb were also wounded. The truck driver, Pfc. Webb, expertly turned the vehicle around and escaped down the road with the large vehicle and trailer.

He is buried in Tier A-6, Row A, Grave 6, Section E, Calvery Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.