Steven Wayne Heitman
Staff SergeantHQ TRP, 1ST SQDN, 9TH CAVALRY, 1 CAV DIV
Army of the United States
23 April 1943 - 29 May 1974
Indianapolis, Indiana
Panel 44E Line 039
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The database page for Steven Wayne Heitman
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Sir, You are remembered along with the others who flew that day on 13th March 1968:
Mark Shanks highlandbrave75@hotmail.com |
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I am proud to say that I wear this soldier's bracelet every day, and I have for the past 4 years.
Keith Schoeneick |
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I proudly have been wearing his MIA Bracelet since I received it. My father was also in Vietnam. He came home proud of those with whom he served. I am proud of him and those who I never got to meet. I wear it, and I pray for him and those missing along with him every day. It is kind of odd that I am from Costa Rica; so is my dad. Still, we have always had it on our minds. God Bless you, wherever you are.
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You will always be remembered. My friend gave this MIA bracelet to me so I could try and find information on SSG Steven W. Heitman, so she could send it to him or his family. Would love to hear from SSG Heitman's family, so we can return his bracelet. I salute one of America's heroes.
James Nash Jr. |
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As a Navy veteran of the Viet Nam war, I am deeply concerned about the status of our Brothers In Arms who did not return home. In a belated salute to those who fell, I just received my bracelet with Staff Sergeant Heitman's name on it. Staff Sergeant Heitman and all who gave their lives there are our real heroes. I am deeply honored to wear this bracelet in tribute to all those who did not return. They have laid a "costly sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom".
Colin Cressman |
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I have been wearing SSgt Heitman's bracelet since the day I visited the Wall during my Plebe Summer trip to the Wall. I just lost it this past weekend while white water rafting. I am now in search of a replacement and have found this memorial. I have told his story to hundreds if not thousands of people who have asked over the last 4 years what it was I wearing. To you sir, you are not forgotten.
Wilson B. |
Notes from The Virtual WallOn 13 March 1968 a UH-1B HUEY (hull number 67-17254) departed Phu Bai Airfield (Hue) enroute Camp Evans, some 27 miles to the northwest. Ten men were aboard the aircraft:
LT Purda and the four soldiers walked into Camp Evans at 2000 hours. Once the situation became clear, an immediate and intensive search and rescue operation was organized to locate the rest of the flight crew and passengers. However, the initial search failed to locate either the aircraft or the missing personnel. On 28 March elements of the 1st Cavalry Division did locate the downed aircraft and found two bodies (identified as SFC Eugene Gubbins and PFC Larry Moore) in a shallow grave not far from the crash site. SAR efforts continued for the three men in and around the location where the two bodies were found, as well as between Camp Evans and the crash site, but without success. When the formal SAR efforts were terminated WO Jimmy Watson, SGT Cleveland Evans, and SSG Steven W. Heitman were listed Missing in Action. On 29 May 1974 the Secretary of the Army approved a Presumptive Finding of Death, changing SSG Heitman's status to Died while Missing/Body not Recovered. His remains have not been repatriated. |
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is one who wears his MIA bracelet, Mark Shanks highlandbrave75@hotmail.com |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 27 Jul 2004
Last updated 03/05/2008