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| Lt. Harry Heller earned the Distinguished Service Cross on the first day the 9th Infantry Division saw action in Morocco. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128944202/harry-clifford-heller https://coconuttimes.com/articles/Remembering-WWII/OPERATION-TORCH |
Harry Clifford "Cliff" Heller never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
Harry was born on March 10, 1920 in Illinois. His parents Ralph and Jennie were also both born in Illinois. His father worked as a farmer and later as a steam railroad car repairman. Cliff had one older brother.
He enlisted in the army on June 23, 1942. He reached the rank of second lieutenant in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. The 9th ID was one of the first Army units to see action in World War 2.
The 9th ID landed in French Morocco on November 8, 1942. It was part of Operation Torch to place troops behind the German troops facing the British on the east side of North Africa. Lt. Heller was killed in action that day. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his efforts fighting the Vichy French.
Second Lieutenant Heller advanced alone toward the enemy machine gun emplacements with only his sub-machine gun as a weapon. He disarmed and captured seven prisoners, thus silencing the machine gun and enabling his organization to take a commanding position around the Kasba, which resulted in the complete defeat of the hostile forces.
Lieutenant Heller continued to fight aggressively throughout the day and his attitude was an inspiration to the officers and men of his organization. While leading his men into the trenches in the Native Village later that day, Lieutenant Heller was killed by a heavy blast of machine-gun fire.
Second Lieutenant Heller's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Allied Force Headquarters, General Orders No. 28 (December 15, 1942)
Action Date: 8-Nov-42
Thank you Lt. Heller for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Cliff.
Last year on this date I profiled Okinawa fallen and Silver Star hero Bernard Green 6th Marine Division. You can read about Bernard here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
General Orders: Allied Force Headquarters, General Orders No. 28 (December 15, 1942)
Action Date: 8-Nov-42
His grave is at East Linwood Cemetery in Galesburg, Illinois.
Last year on this date I profiled Okinawa fallen and Silver Star hero Bernard Green 6th Marine Division. You can read about Bernard here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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