Alaska Highway. Major, MD, Medical Corps, H&S Company. Born: 12 July 1898, Hallettsville, Lavaca County, TX. Died: 19 January 1958 of a coronary occlusion, San Antonio, Bexar County, TX. Enlisted: 4 April 1940. Discharged: 13 March 1946.
Dr. Heger, a medical doctor, lived in the Henkhaus community and after studying medicine returned to Moulton, Texas where he practiced for a short time before going to San Antonio, TX.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Society, Knights of Columbus, Siemmering Lodge No 32, Order of Hermann Sons, Catholic Physicians Guild and American Medical Association.
He was an officer in the Medical Corps with the segregated 97th Engineer Regiment. He landed with this regiment at Valdez, Alaska on 29 April 1942. Three feet of snow covered the ground. The 97th Regiment built the northern section of the Alaska Highway. While in Alaska he was promoted to Major on 14 December 1942. He was transferred to the 90th Engineers at Seattle, WA in April 1943.
Frank was a fan of photography and a close friend of SSgt William E. Griggs, the 97th Regimental Photographer. He was also a believer in the cause of fostering better race relations. (information obtained from Griggs Photographic History of the 97th Regiment)
Later, he was appointed Major, Medical Corps U.S. Army Reserve on 4 April 1947. He received a honorable discharge from his commission as Major US Army Reserve on 17 December 1952.
His father, Joseph Heger, was born in Kuntzendorf, Austria, on 29 September 1870. At age 13, he arrived to the U.S. and made his way to Texas. He married Mary Rabel, also from Austria, on 20 October 1896 at Amansville, Texas. Joseph died in 1945 and Mary died in 1948.
Frank married Selma Emery (1906-2000) on 3 May 1932 in Texas and had a daughter, Mary Catherine Heger, and a son, Frank Emery Heger.
Serial #O-248247