First Marine from Camp Pendleton killed in Afghanistan offensive
Marine Sgt. Michael W. Heede Jr. has become the first Marine from Camp Pendleton killed in Afghanistan during the current offensive to oust the Taliban from key areas of Helmand Province.
Heede, 22, of Delta, Pa., was killed Monday during combat operations, the Marine Corps announced today. He was a combat engineer with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division based at Camp Pendleton.
Heede enlisted in 2005 and served in Iraq from November 2006 to April 2007. Among his citations was the Combat Action Ribbon, awarded only to Marines who have come under enemy fire.
About 4,000 Marines have surged into Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan to provide protection for the local population and to confront the Taliban.
The Marines also announced the death of Staff Sgt. David S. Spicer, 33, of Zanesfield, Ohio, also in Helmand Province during combat. Spicer was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Heede and Spicer were killed by a roadside bomb attack.
-- Tony Perry in San Diego
Photo: The casket of Sgt. Michael W. Heede Jr. arrives at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Credit: Associated Press.
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Semper Fidelis. Marine Sgt. Michael W. Heede Jr. will NEVER be forgotten.
Posted by: Cpl. Beddoe | July 15, 2009 at 02:59 PM
RIP and God bless Sgt. Michael W. Heede Jr.
Posted by: A Marine Mom | July 15, 2009 at 05:08 PM
Mike, R.I.P. Brother; you were my best friend in the world, I miss you more than i can say with words. Brothers In Arms Forever. Semper Fi.
Posted by: Nathaniel Rittershofer | July 16, 2009 at 06:56 AM
Sgt Heede, thanks for what you did for us when we were together in Iraq. I'll never forget you sweeping the roads with your mine detector. Go easy "my son".
Posted by: GySgt Tehan | July 16, 2009 at 08:32 AM
Please let's not forget that Michael was married to Brittney Gaudino. I'm surprised that no article mentioned it.
Just a thought..
Posted by: Bill Watson | July 16, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Freedom is not free and those who think it is are ignorant.We are kept free through military strength. Its been that way since day one and it will be that way until the Lord comes. These men and women who serve are the best our Nation has. Brave and selfless they serve a cause so great. I will never forget these men and women.I have taught my children to respect them. We owe them all an unpayable debt...lets honor them. To those that oppose them in the field,in the air or on the sea....I can only hope they make you die for your country rather than the contrary.Brave men and women all ,to the last and worthy of all honor.
Posted by: Steve | July 16, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Mike you will be missed so much. You were a big part of mine and Catlin's life and you were there for us so much. It's hard to imagine you are gone now. I am sad and in mourning. I will remember that last conversation we had while standing in my kitchen as you talked about going on this deployment. It was 6 months ago that I last saw you and you walked in with pizza and demanded ranch dressing and ketchup with your fries. Weird combination:) Well you will always be in our hearts and in our prayers. I am glad to have known you and I think that is why this is truely hard for us. We didn't just know of you. We KNEW YOU. You were always at hour house or always calling our cell phones. You are a big part of our family and always will be. When my son grows up and asks me what a hero is. I will tell him about you. You are a true hero and died for this country and our freedome. I wish you were here so you and Catlin can dance dorky and do the pancake. Watch over us from time to time you funky white boy. We will miss you!
Posted by: SGT and Mrs Briseno | July 17, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family....your not alone.
Posted by: Anna Florczak | July 18, 2009 at 04:15 PM
mike i can not put into words how much my husband and i loved you and how much you touched our hearts! it is so unfortunate that this had to happen, you were the best friend any wife could ask for for her husband. you were a great marine and i know how much you loved your job. you will always be remembered as a great hero to the people who only know of you just from reading in the media. but to us you are so much more! a great friend, a great son, a great brother and A GREAT HERO! we love you mike!
Posted by: Angilina Cox | July 18, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Heede...there are no words to express what i am feeling....but you will be missed...you are a true soldier....
Posted by: Gabby | July 19, 2009 at 02:30 PM
To the family of Sgt. Michael Hedde Jr. There are no words that can heal the tremendous loss you are feeling. Please know that our hearts are also heavy. Michael has given the ultimate sacrifice for our great country. We will always be indebted to him and all those who went before him for the great freedoms we enjoy. The City of Cerritos, CA adopted the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion in November 2007. I will be requesting that our City Council meeting on 7/23/09 be closed in honor and memory of Sgt. Michael W. Heede Jr.
May God Bless his family and friends.
Jim Edwards, Councilman, City of Cerritos, Vietnam Veteran
Posted by: Jim Edwards, Councilmember, City of Cerritos | July 20, 2009 at 06:43 PM
To Sgt. Hedde's wife Britney and all of his family, friends and fellow members of the 1st CEB and Marines everywhere. Mike's service and sacrifice to our nation and desire to bring freedom to the people in Iraq and Afghanistan was not in vain. Although I didn't know him personally I'm sure that he was a dedicated and "Squared Away Marine " like so many I've met. Since I first joined the Cerritos 1st CEB Adoption Committee in 2006 I have met many inspiring Marines and been to Camp Pendleton on many occasions and would like to thank them for welcoming us into the Marine Corp family.
Our group and the good people of Cerritos will continue our efforts and work even harder to honor Mikes memory and all of the fallen. We will do whatever we can to be of support for his wife and family and we will be present at Camp Pendleton when the battalion returns and make our services avaiable for any Memorial Service.
To the men of the 1st CEB still in Afganistan we will continue to be here for you and honor Mike back here in American
Semper Fi from a civilian
Mickey Christiason 1st CEB Adoption Committee
Posted by: Mickey Christiason | July 21, 2009 at 08:21 AM
Sgt. Heede, may God hold you in his Kingdom until your loved ones and brothers see you again.
I am Sgt Justin D. Cox's mother, I want to thank you and your family for your service. I know Justin will miss you.
Marine Mom
Posted by: Joan Karr | July 21, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Heede.. I remember when you first stepped on deck at CEB as a PFC.. You thought you were such a tough guy.. and as it turned out you were.. You were the only non-NCO in your squad and they took full advantage of the fact haha.. but it didnt matter because you blew them all away at PFT time.. You were always a good friend to me and I will never forget you man.. all the good times we had in the different ports and all the crappy times we had in Iraq and on ship.. The Marine Corps Hymn says "the streets of heaven are guarded by United States Marines" well brother with you up there i would say they are in good hands.. See you on the otherside man..
Daw
Posted by: Fmr. Cpl. John M. Daw | July 23, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Rest in Peace
Posted by: Bonnie Flach | September 24, 2010 at 03:31 PM