Floyd Arthur Heidelberger Sr

It is with deep sadness that I report the news of the death of my father Floyd Senior he will be greatly missed by all of my family & all of his friends. We give thanks for his life. Rest in peace Dad.

Today we gathered to say goodbye to Floyd Sr.

I will attached a video of his life's journey.

USS Essex (CV-9)

Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commendation,Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy Expeditionary MedalChina Service Medal(extended)
American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
(13 battle stars), World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal (4 battle stars)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2 battle stars)
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Philippine Liberation Medal (2 battle stars)
United Nations Korean Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal(retroactive)

USS Essex 

Launching, 31 July 1942, at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. Sponsor's party with Mrs. Artemus Gates, the sponsor, at right.

Japanese Kamikaze aircraft explodes after crashing into the carrier's flight deck amidships, during operations off the Philippines, 25 November 1944. Photographed from USS Langley (CVL-27). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

A Japanese Kamikaze attack on the USS Essex, during the battle of Philippine Sea on the 25th November 1944.

December 18th, 1950

Ronald "Ronnie" Heidelberger
April 24th, 1949 - September 24th, 1995

Rest In Peace Dad remember you are not forgotten while I am still on patrol.

Norma & Floyd Heidelberger

Floyd Sr and stepdaughter Patricia

Donald R. Heidelberger

Floyd A Heidelberger Sr

Kamikaze goes down in flames.

Lieutenant Yamaguchi's Yokosuka D4Y3 (Type 33) "Judy" in a suicide dive against the American aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9), 1256 hours, November 25, 1944.

Flaps are extended, the burning non-self-sealing port wing tank of the Yokosuka "Suisei" is trailing smoke.

On 25 November, for the first time in her far-ranging operations and destruction to the enemy, 'Essex' received damage. A kamikaze hit the port edge of her flight deck landing among planes gassed for takeoff, causing extensive damage, killing 15, and wounding 44.

1944-1945  Kamikazes

Lt. Yoshinori Yamaguchi's D4Y3 in the suicide dive against USS Essex, 1256 hours, 25 November 1944. Air brake flaps are extended, the burning port wing tank is trailing smoke. The lack of self-sealing fuel tanks made the D4Y easy to ignite with a few rounds of incendiary tracers, so a stricken Suisei often developed a fiery tail reminiscent of its namesake. Note white "17" on the vertical tail fin.

Yokosuka D4Y Suisei

Three of the five are 17 years old and the other two are 18 and 19 years old. The photo was taken the day before their mission. Left to right: front row Tsutomu Hayakawa, Yukio Araki, Takamasa Senda back row Kaname Takahashi, Mitsuyoshi Takahashi. Each of these young men were corporals. At 17, Yukio Araki is the youngest known Kamikaze pilot to die in the war. May 26th, 1945

D4Y Suisei

Yokosuka D4Y3 Model 33 "Suisei" in the field

Kamikazes

Seizō Yasunori, 21

USS Essex

photos from the ship

Click Here

Kiyoshi Ogawa 22

On October 25, 1944, the first kamikaze suicide bombers attacked Allied warships during World War II Ferocious Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought in the Pacific Ocean around the Philippines.

My father lied about his age to get in the Navy. He was 16 years old when he joined.

Floyd A Heidelberger

Donald R. Heidelberger

November 25th, 1944

Task Force 58

Floyd A Heidelberger

Seaman first class

November 25th, 1944

USS Essex 

My father's only other son.

November 25th, 1944

Burial at Sea

November 25th, 1944

My father's

Memorial Webpage

Last Update: 4-16-2023

Cecil Clyde

 Heidelberger

Cecil Clyde

Heidelberger

My father's Celebration of Life,

Was held Sunday October 23rd, 2022 in North St Paul, MN
at the American Legion Post 39 - 2678 7th Ave East, North St Paul, Mn 55109

from: 12:30 through 3:30 pm

There'll be plenty of things to see. Display plus a slideshow playing throughout that period of time before and after lunch.

Lunch will be served at 1:00 pm

Following lunch there will be a special 30-minute slideshow on my father's timeline through life. Family and friends are welcome.


This is a link to his obituary and guest book: Click Here

Floyd Arthur Heidelberger Sr. - Birth September 18th, 1927 in Wisconsin

Passed away on April 20th, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada

My father's Burial will be at
Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Thursday April 20th, 2023 at 2 pm

My father's Burial will be at
Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Thursday April 20th, 2023 at 2 pm

My father's Burial will be at
Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Thursday April 20th, 2023 at 2 pm

My father's Burial will be at
Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Thursday April 20th, 2023 at 2 pm