As October 31^st approaches, while most of us eagerly prepare for Halloween festivities, it's worth remembering that this date also holds a special place in the history of Hickam Federal Credit Union. On October 31, 1936, our credit union received its initial charter under the name Hawaiian Air Depot Employees Federal Credit Union (HADFCU). It wasn't until 1950 that we adopted the name Hickam FCU. In 2011, we expanded our field of membership to include all those who live, work, worship, or attend school on the beautiful island of Oahu.

 

A few weeks ago, a heartwarming and unique event transpired at our Main Office. It involved a visit from the granddaughter of one of our founding members, Mr. Elmer Heidlebaugh. Jill Robinson, Mr. Heidlebaugh's granddaughter, traveled all the way from Colorado with her husband, guided by Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam historian Jessie Higa.

 

Ms. Higa brought the Robinsons to our Main Office, where they could meet with us and witness firsthand the transformation of the credit union that Mr. Heidlebaugh helped establish. During their visit, Ms. Higa shared intriguing details about Mr. Heidlebaugh and his role in our credit union's humble beginnings.

 

Born in 1904 in Illinois, Mr. Heidlebaugh enlisted in the U.S. Army and, in August 1927, boarded the U.S. Army Transport Ship USS Chateau Thierry, which took him from California to his new duty station on Oahu. He served as an Army Air Corps aircraft machinist stationed at Luke Field on Ford Island. After his Army service, he transitioned to civilian employment with the Hawaiian Air Depot, located on Ford Island, where he continued to work repairing Army aircraft.

 

In 1930, he married a "local girl" and began a family. Three years later, his lifelong dream came true when he was able to purchase a new home in Pu’unui near downtown Honolulu. Then, on October 31, 1936, he was one of 25 men who put their names on the charter to establish the Hawaiian Air Depot Employees FCU.

 

In 1938, as Luke Field couldn't accommodate the large bombers of the Army Air Corps, Hickam Field was constructed and activated, with the Hawaiian Air Depot relocating as well.

 

Then, the world-changing events of December 7, 1941, unfolded. On that fateful day, Mr. Heidlebaugh headed to work at Hickam Field early in the morning, just as Japanese enemy aircraft bombed and strafed the aircraft hangars, B-18 and B-17 bombers, and the flight line. He and many other HADFCU employees united with Hickam Field's active-duty personnel to tend to the wounded, extinguish fires, and salvage aircraft parts and equipment. Tragically, the credit union's treasurer, Philip W. Eldred, was killed in action, and the credit union was destroyed by a bomb.

 

Five years later, Mr. Heidlebaugh and up to 175 HADFCU civilian employees at Hickam Field were honored with a commendation letter for their "call to duty" on December 7^th. The citation described their valiant efforts amidst a barrage of shells, bullets, and shrapnel as they battled to quell the flames and assist injured military personnel. They helped get planes warmed up and off the field for the counterattack, and others moved out of the blazing hangars. Wherever possible, they fired at the attacking swarm of Zeros as they zoomed near the ground, as reported by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

 

Mr. Heidlebaugh later moved with his family to McClellan AFB, California, in 1948 for a civil service job until his retirement. He lived in Sacramento at the time of his passing in 1977 at the age of 72.

 

We are deeply grateful for this heartwarming opportunity to "talk story" with Jill and to share with her our original charter documents, which include her grandfather's signature. It's an experience that will remain etched in our memories.