George Heyliger

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 City 24 March 1945, Lt. Cmdr. Arthur F. Chase, USNR, in command.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• George Heyliger