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Following completion of basic training
at Camp Wolters, TX, Pvt Mayo S. Heath was transferred to Hq Hq, 508th
PIR on 26 Jan 1943..
Pvt Heath arrived just in time to go
through parachute school with the regiment and was declared a qualified
parachutist on 12 March 1943.
Pfc Heath participated in the jump
into Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944. His performance of duties
during combat resulted in the award of the Silver Star.
He was also recognized, perhaps during
the Holland campaign, with the Bronze Star Medal.
Following the war he took advantage of
the GI Bill and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University He was
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserves.
In February 1951, First Lieutenant Heath's Ranger Unit was assigned to
the 23rd Infantry Regimental Combat Team.
On February 11, 1961, the Chinese sent the entirety of the 39th Army,
and divisions of the 40th and 42nd armies to completely encircle the
town of Chip'yong-ni (Kyonggi-Do), South Korea.
 For
the net three days the enemy launched continuous attacks from every
quarter.
When the Chinese forces broke through the 23rd RCT's perimeter, the 1st
Ranger Company was in reserve. The Combat Team's Commander ordered a
counter attack to reestablish the perimeter. First Lieutenant Heath was
killed leading the attack. Inspired by Lieutenant Heath's bravery,
his men continued the attack driving the enemy from his newly won
positions.
Lt Heath's bravery was
recognized with the award of an Oak Leaf Cluster for the Silver Star.
In 1994, 1st Lt. Mayo S. Heath was
inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame, Ft. Benning, GA for
distinguishing himself in action while serving with the United States
Army Rangers during the Korean War. |
