World War II Honoree

Arthur John Heigl

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Buckman, MN, California

Honored By

Friends of Art Heigl

Relationship

Mike Zoglio, neighbor

He was 19 when he became a U.S. Merchant Mariner in 1945, during World War II serving first as Ordinary Seaman and later as Able Seaman aboard at least three American flag Liberty ships; the S.S. John Merrick, the S.S. Thomas J. Lyons, and the S.S. Edwin H. Duff. His maritime service took him through the Panama Canal, sailing the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes serving in various operational roles including Boatswain. General Douglas MacArthur said of the Merchant Marine service, “I hold no branch in higher esteem.” In 2020, Congress unanimously passed the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act honoring the more than 240,000 merchant mariners serving in that era. He received his ceremonial emblem from the United State Coast Guard Maritime Administration in April 2023 along with a Presidential Testimonial letter. Following his service Arthur attained a law degree, raised a family with wife Marilyn, and had a distinguished career in law, banking, real estate and financial services. Arthur passed away at age 96 on August 5, 2023.