He was sent to the pilot pool at the Aviation Concentration Center at Camp John Dick, Dallas, Texas; then assigned successively to the School of Aerial Observers, Post Field, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; the School of Aerial Gunnery, Taliaferro Field, Texas, graduating as a gunnery pilot of July 5, 1918; and in October, 1918 back to M.I.T.

[3] Upon completing his technical training in February 1919, Hegenberger became chief of the Instrument Branch at McCook Field, Dayton, Ohio.

Hegenberger transferred overseas to the 72nd Bombardment Squadron at Luke Field, Hawaii, in October 1923, and later served as operations officer of the 5th Composite Group.

[3] Returning to the United States and McCook Field in October 1926, he became chief of the Equipment Branch, Materiel Division of the Army Air Corps.

He moved to Fort Shafter, Hawaii, in November 1940 to become assistant chief of staff for operations of the Hawaiian Air Force, and in April 1941, was named commanding officer of the 11th Bombardment Group at Hickam Field.

[3] Returning to the United States in December 1945, he was assigned to Headquarters, Army Air Forces, for duty with the Officers Selection Committee.

[3] In 1958, he was recognized for his demonstration of the capability of four-course radio range beacons as a navigational aid by the Professional Group on Aeronautical and Navigational Electronics, a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, receiving its annual Pioneer Award,[8] and in 1976 was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

[10] SOURCE: Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers, 1917–1952, Volume 1 – A thru L[3] Command pilot World War II Victory Medal Order of Cloud and Banner (Republic of China) Order of the Crown of Italy (Grand Officer) Combat Observer Technical Observer Hegenberger also received the 1927 Mackay Trophy, the 1934 Collier Trophy, and was a fellow of the Institute of Aeronautical Engineers.