More detail on this person: Heath, Herman S. (Stan) RW Class 69-24 RVN September 1969 - September 1970. 134th AHC, 268th AHB, Phui Hip, VN. Call signs Demon 13 and Demon 16. Colonel (ret.) Herman S. Heath, age 75 passed away on January 4, 2018 due to chronic medical conditions. Colonel Heath was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Eunice Heath of Canton, GA and his son, Buddy Allen Heath. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Elma Lou, his daughter Tracey Rauer (Scott), Granddaughter Ella Lou Rauer, Grandson Heath William Rauer, brother William T. Heath (Renay), nephews Clay Heath (Miranda), Jon Heath (Emily) and numerous cousins. Born in Canton, GA on November 23, 1942 he graduated from Cherokee High School in 1960. He attended Marsh Business College in Atlanta, GA later entering the Management Training Program with F.W. Woolworth Co. After four year's training in various stores as an Assistant Manager in the Atlanta and Miami, FL areas he was selected to be the store manager of F.W. Woolworth Co. Store #1557 in Lantana, FL in January 1966. In August 1966 Uncle Sam called and by September Stan was drafted into the U.S. Army. After Army Basic and Advanced Individual Training he attended Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, OK and graduated as a 2d Lieutenant. His first assignment took him to Fort Benning, GA where he served as a Marksmanship Officer for basic trainees. During this assignment he applied for and was accepted for Rotary Wing Flight Training. He successfully completed the Fort Wolters and Fort Rucker phases of flight training in September 1969 and was awarded his Army Aviator Wings. Stan was next assigned to the Republic of Viet Nam with the 139th AHC, 268th AHB as a section leader and later as a platoon leader. During his12 month tour he flew 1,376 combat/combat support hours. Awards earned during his tour included the Bronze Star (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal (32 awards), Army Commendation Medal with "V" device, Viet Nam Commendation Medal, Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with Palm) and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with Bronze Star). After Viet Nam Stan served in various Army Aviation command and staff positions from company to brigade level during his 28 year career in the Regular Army. He was selected to attend the Army's higher level schooling including the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS and the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. Other awards earned during his military career include the Legion of Merit, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon. Stan retired as a Master Army Aviator and logged more than 3,600 flight hours in his career. In retirement, Stan enjoyed playing golf, spending time with his horses and a new found passion in turkey hunting. He served on several boards and committees including the U.S. Army Aviation Museum National Board, the Fort Rucker Commander's Post Retiree Council, President of the Fort Rucker Equestrian Council, 5-year President of the Gulf States Military Retiree Golf Tournament, and Retiree Council representative to the Silver Wings Golf Course. Additionally, Stan was an organizer and course builder for the U.S. Equestrian Federation Fort Rucker Horse Trials which earned him recognition as the 2003 Fort Rucker Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Volunteer of the Year, 2004 Fort Rucker Friend of the Army, and 2004 Friend of Recreation by the Installation Management Agency's Southeastern Region.
This information was last updated 01/12/2018
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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