World War II Honoree

Harry E. Heatherly

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Wheeling, West Virginia

Honored By

Ruth E. Barnhill

Relationship

Daughter

LANDED AT OMAHA BEACH IN THE D-DAY INVASION ON JUNE 6, 1944. SERVED WITH THE U.S. 3RD ARMY UNDER GEORGE S. PATTON, JR., 135TH INFANTRY, 35TH DIVISION. FOUGHT IN THE 8-DAY BATTLE OF SAINT LO, WAS CAPTURED BY GERMANS AND TAKEN PRISONER OF WAR ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1944 AT NANCY, FRANCE (VERY NEAR HIS ANCESTRAL HOME OF COLMAR, GERMANY). DURING HIS POW EXPERIENCE HE ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY AS 10TH M COMPANY COMMANDER. WAS REPATRIATED JANUARY 31, 1945 WHEN THE POW CAMP WAS LIBERATED BY THE RUSSIANS. HE KEPT A DETAILED WARTIME LOG FOR 5 MONTHS WHILE A POW AND MAINTAINED THE DIARY FOR TWO MORE MONTHS AS HE WAS ROUTED OUT OF EUROPE.