In bronze gilt, engraved "HENRY HELLMAN JR." on the reverse, measuring 42.8 mm (w) x 54.2 mm (h), original ribbon with brooch pinback, scattered gilt wear, near extremely fine. Accompanied by its 35.5 mm (w) x 10.5 mm (h) ribbon bar, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "AIR MEDAL" on the lid, light wear evident on the exterior, case also near extremely fine.
Footnote: Henry Hellman Jr. was born May 6, 1918, in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana, the son of Henry and Laura (Taylor) Hellman. He served as a Staff Sergeant with the United States Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India theater, flying "the Hump", during the Second World War and was honorably discharged in 1945. Mr. Hellman married Lucy Taylor in Missoula. In 1956, he moved to Anchorage, where he worked for the Alaska Railroad until he retired. He then returned to Missoula. His memberships included the National Wildlife Association, National Rifle Association, Hump Pilots Association, the Carmens Union and the AFL-CIO. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, flying and spending time at his cabin in Idaho. Henry Hellman Jr. died on June 8, 2006, in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana, at the age of 88 and is buried in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula. He was was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Lucy Hellman.