World War II Honoree

Norman H. Heiden

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JUNE 10, 1941. AFTER BASIC TRAINING, STATIONED IN THE U.S. AT FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY; CAMP COOKE, CALIFORNIA AND FORT BENNING, GEORGIA WHERE HE GRADUATED AS A QUALIFIED PARATROOPER. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON MAY 8, 1943 EN ROUTE TO NORTH AFRICA. FOUGHT WITH THE 504TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION THROUGH THE INVASIONS OF SICILY, ITALY, NORMANDY (D-DAY) AND HOLLAND. WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON SEPTEMBER 28, 1944 DURING OPERATION MARKET GARDEN. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL POSTHUMOUSLY AND WAS OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 5 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. BURIED WITH MILITARY HONORS AT NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY, MARGRATEN, NETHERLANDS. HONORED ALSO AT THE WWII MEMORIAL AT FLORA, ILLINOIS.