Years of service 1942-1942 Rank Private first class | Awards Navy Cross Name George Heyliger Unit 1st Marine Division | |
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Born May 8, 1919
Boston, Massachusetts ( 1919-05-08 ) Battles/wars World War II
*Guadalcanal campaign Died October 9, 1942, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands Service/branch United States Marine Corps | ||
Allegiance United States of America | ||
George Heyliger was born 8 May 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the son of George Heyliger, Sr. and Augusta Weissent.
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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.