George Heyliger

Infobox Military Person
name = George Heyliger
born = birth date|1919|5|8
died = death date and age|1942|10|9|1919|5|8
placeofbirth = Boston, Massachusetts
placeofdeath = Guadalcanal


caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1942-1942
rank = Private First Class
branch = United States Marine Corps
unit = 1st Marine Division
battles = World War II *Guadalcanal campaign
awards = Navy Cross

George Heyliger was born 8 May, 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the son of George Heyliger, Sr. and Augusta Weissent.

Marine Corps career

Heyliger enlisted in the United States Marine Corps there 3 February, 1942. Private First Class Heyliger was serving with the 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal.

Awarded the Navy Cross

On 9 October, 1942, when his platoon's position was attacked by approximately 150 Japanese. The fighting swiftly changed from automatic weapons to bayonets and then hand-to-hand combat. "Heyliger" refused to be dislodged from his position by the enemy and, after exacting a tremendous toll on them, heroically died at his post. For his extraordinary heroism and gallantry, "PFC Heyliger" was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

Namesake

"Heyliger" (DE-510) was launched 6 August, 1944 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearny, New Jersey; sponsored by Mrs. Augusta Foss, mother of "Private First Class Heyliger"; and commissioned at New York 24 March, 1945, Lt. Cmdr. Arthur F. Chase, USNR, in command.

ee also

References

:DANFS
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/h6/heyliger.htm George Heyliger]