Cdr Harlie B. Helms, Jr USN Retired, Former CO of RVAH-5

Obit for Cdr. Helms:
CDR. Harlie B. Helms, Jr. USN, 84 passed away January 2, 2015, at E.T. York Hospice Care Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Geneva, Alabama, however considered himself a native of Gainesville, Florida. The son of Lucile S and Harlie B. Helms, Sr. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1948, lettering with the Baritone Horn. He attended the University of Florida, Sigma Chi fraternity before entering the Navy in April 1951 as a Naval Aviation Cadet. He was commissioned from that program and received his wings in October 1952.

The beautiful and well educated stewardess with TWA, Cody H Benner stole his heart and they were married on September 9th 1953 in San Mateo, California.

His first tour of duty was with VA-195 in the Pacific Fleet, making two
cruises aboard USS Oriskany (CVA-34). In January 1957 he reported to NAS Kingsville, Texas where he served with ATU-102 and ATU-202 as a flight instructor. Commander Helms was selected for the Navy Five Term program in 1958 and reported to Columbia University in September. He graduated in January 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

He then attended CIC Officers School at NAS Glynco, Georgia and the CCA Officer School at NAS Olathe Kansas before reporting aboard USS Independence (CVA-62) as CCA Officer. He served in that billet for one Mediterranean cruise and as Assistant Air Operations Officer for a second deployment to the Mediterranean.

The Commander’s background in Heavy Attack began in 1962 when he reported to NAS Sanford’s VAH-3 in Sanford, Florida for transition to the A-3B. He was assigned to VAH-11 detachment #8 where he served as Training Officer and Operations Officer. While in that squadron, VAH-11 won the NAVAIRLANT Battle Efficiency awards for 1963, and 1964 and the 10th Annual HATWINGONE “Bombing Derby.”

In June 1965, Commander Helms graduated from the School of Command and Staff, Naval War College, Newport Rhode Island. While at War College he completed the requirements for a Master’s Degree from George Washington University. He then served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel until July 1967, when he returned to NAS Sanford, Florida to transition into the RA5C Vigilante as Executive Officer of RVAH- 5.

As Executive Officer of RVAH-5, Commander Helms, made an 8 month WESTPAC Deployment cruise on USS Constellation (CVA-64) during which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for action against the enemy in Vietnam. He assumed command of RVAH-5 in March 1969 and led the squadron on another deployment to WESTPAC aboard the USS Ranger (CVA-61). The squadron conducted extensive reconnaissance operations in Southeast
Asia.

His next deployment was aboard the USS Roosevelt (CVA-42 where he received his Navy Commendation Medal. Oct 19, 1970. Unfortunately, not much information is available for this cruise.

He also attended the Naval War College, Naval Strategy in1972 and continued his education at Catholic University while employed at the Pentagon.

His Honors earned included: The Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, United Nations Service medal, Korea Service Medal, China Service Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal (Cuba), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba) Vietnam, Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sigmund Rhee Presidential Unit Citation Korea Unit Citation.

Pilot positions included: Naval Carriers Assistant Air Operations,Commanding Officer, Reconnaissance Attack Squadron, Air Office

Upon retirement to his hometown of Gainesville, Florida from Potomac, Maryland in 1976, Harlie received his real estate license and took employment with John Merrill, INC Realtors then in April 1986, he began working with Mike Warren, AMJ, INC. Realty where he remained for 14 years until his final retirement. Loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his family was his only requirement, and it was well met well from his Reclining Blue Chair!

Harlie was predeceased by his devoted wife Cody B Helms of 58 years on 02-16-2012 He is survived by his sister Frances S Stroud of Fairview Heights, IL, brother Hugh W. Helms of Lillian, AL, daughter Suzanne Wansley Benner of Carthage, ME (husband Paul), and son David W. Helms of Gainesville, FL. Grandchildren: Jennifer Wansley Edwards of Clearwater, FL, Rachel Wansley Garcia (husband Jose’) of Oldsmar, FL, Laura E. Wansley (wife Meagan) of Newberry, FL, and 12 great-grandchildren: Trevor, Lisette, Julia, Randall, Jasmine, Priscilla, Olivia, Jared, Brooklynn, Adrian, Mackenzie, and Harlyn.

Memorial service will be on Sunday January 18th at 1:15PM, Forest Meadows funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, FL 352-378-2528. Please be so kind as to follow CDR Helms request to dress in Orange and Blue.

Full Military Honors are being held Monday January 19th at Forest Meadows Cemetery, 3700 SE Hawthorne Road., Gainesville, FL 32641 at 10:00AM

Replies

Steven R. Ewing January 11, 2015 at 9:47am

Gainesville Sun obit for Cdr. Helms
Steven R. Ewing January 10, 2015 at 7:31pm

Home » Obituaries » CDR. Harlie B. Helms, Jr. USN
Steven R. Ewing January 8, 2015 at 10:15am

Obit for Cdr. Helms:
CDR. Harlie B. Helms, Jr. USN, 84 passed away January 2, 2015, at E.T. York Hospice Care Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Geneva, Alabama, however considered himself a native of Gainesville, Florida. The son of Lucile S and Harlie B. Helms, Sr. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1948, lettering with the Baritone Horn. He attended the University of Florida, Sigma Chi fraternity before entering the Navy in April 1951 as a Naval Aviation Cadet. He was commissioned from that program and received his wings in October 1952.

The beautiful and well educated stewardess with TWA, Cody H Benner stole his heart and they were married on September 9th 1953 in San Mateo, California.

His first tour of duty was with VA-195 in the Pacific Fleet, making two
cruises aboard USS Oriskany (CVA-34). In January 1957 he reported to NAS Kingsville, Texas where he served with ATU-102 and ATU-202 as a flight instructor. Commander Helms was selected for the Navy Five Term program in 1958 and reported to Columbia University in September. He graduated in January 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

He then attended CIC Officers School at NAS Glynco, Georgia and the CCA Officer School at NAS Olathe Kansas before reporting aboard USS Independence (CVA-62) as CCA Officer. He served in that billet for one Mediterranean cruise and as Assistant Air Operations Officer for a second deployment to the Mediterranean.

The Commander’s background in Heavy Attack began in 1962 when he reported to NAS Sanford’s VAH-3 in Sanford, Florida for transition to the A-3B. He was assigned to VAH-11 detachment #8 where he served as Training Officer and Operations Officer. While in that squadron, VAH-11 won the NAVAIRLANT Battle Efficiency awards for 1963, and 1964 and the 10th Annual HATWINGONE “Bombing Derby.”

In June 1965, Commander Helms graduated from the School of Command and Staff, Naval War College, Newport Rhode Island. While at War College he completed the requirements for a Master’s Degree from George Washington University. He then served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel until July 1967, when he returned to NAS Sanford, Florida to transition into the RA5C Vigilante as Executive Officer of RVAH- 5.

As Executive Officer of RVAH-5, Commander Helms, made an 8 month WESTPAC Deployment cruise on USS Constellation (CVA-64) during which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for action against the enemy in Vietnam. He assumed command of RVAH-5 in March 1969 and led the squadron on another deployment to WESTPAC aboard the USS Ranger (CVA-61). The squadron conducted extensive reconnaissance operations in Southeast
Asia.

His next deployment was aboard the USS Roosevelt (CVA-42 where he received his Navy Commendation Medal. Oct 19, 1970. Unfortunately, not much information is available for this cruise.

He also attended the Naval War College, Naval Strategy in1972 and continued his education at Catholic University while employed at the Pentagon.

His Honors earned included: The Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, United Nations Service medal, Korea Service Medal, China Service Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal (Cuba), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba) Vietnam, Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sigmund Rhee Presidential Unit Citation Korea Unit Citation.

Pilot positions included: Naval Carriers Assistant Air Operations,Commanding Officer, Reconnaissance Attack Squadron, Air Office

Upon retirement to his hometown of Gainesville, Florida from Potomac, Maryland in 1976, Harlie received his real estate license and took employment with John Merrill, INC Realtors then in April 1986, he began working with Mike Warren, AMJ, INC. Realty where he remained for 14 years until his final retirement. Loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his family was his only requirement, and it was well met well from his Reclining Blue Chair!

Harlie was predeceased by his devoted wife Cody B Helms of 58 years on 02-16-2012 He is survived by his sister Frances S Stroud of Fairview Heights, IL, brother Hugh W. Helms of Lillian, AL, daughter Suzanne Wansley Benner of Carthage, ME (husband Paul), and son David W. Helms of Gainesville, FL. Grandchildren: Jennifer Wansley Edwards of Clearwater, FL, Rachel Wansley Garcia (husband Jose’) of Oldsmar, FL, Laura E. Wansley (wife Meagan) of Newberry, FL, and 12 great-grandchildren: Trevor, Lisette, Julia, Randall, Jasmine, Priscilla, Olivia, Jared, Brooklynn, Adrian, Mackenzie, and Harlyn.

Memorial service will be on Sunday January 18th at 1:15PM, Forest Meadows funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, FL 352-378-2528. Please be so kind as to follow CDR Helms request to dress in Orange and Blue.

Full Military Honors are being held Monday January 19th at Forest Meadows Cemetery, 3700 SE Hawthorne Road., Gainesville, FL 32641 at 10:00AM

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