[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15363]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE OF COLONEL OWEN A. HEETER OF ROCHESTER, INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 11, 2007

  Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of COL 
Owen A. Heeter, who faithfully served our country in the United States 
Air Force for 30 years. Colonel Heeter passed away on February 17, 
2007.
  Colonel Heeter was born in Athens, Indiana in 1936. He graduated from 
Rochester High School in 1954 as an accomplished athlete and went on to 
attend DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. At DePauw, Colonel 
Heeter played baseball and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. 
However, it was his experiences in the Reserve Officers Training Corps 
that led him to a career dedicated to serving our country.
  After graduation in 1958, Colonel Heeter joined the United States Air 
Force, becoming one of our country's most successful pilots. He was 
stationed at various bases within the United States and overseas, 
including Spain, Thailand, and Panama. Some of his most notable 
accomplishments include becoming the first pilot to fly an HH-53 
helicopter across the Pacific Ocean, flying rescue missions over 
Vietnam, and recovering bodies from the mass suicide in Jonestown, 
Guyana.
  Colonel Heeter received numerous awards in recognition of his 
outstanding service during his tours of duty. Included in these are the 
Bronze Star, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished 
Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious 
Service Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with Four Oak 
Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
  After retiring from the Air Force, Colonel Heeter was a member of the 
international sales department at Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas. 
After retiring 10 years later, he returned to Rochester, Indiana, 
eventually marrying his high school sweetheart. In the last decade of 
his life, Colonel Heeter was an active member of Grace United Methodist 
Church, the Kiwanis Club, the LeRoy Shelton American Legion Post #36, 
and many other organizations. He enjoyed working on his golf game and 
spending time with his grandchildren.
  Colonel Heeter represented the best that this country has to offer. 
His selfless dedication to the United States, to his community and to 
his family will always be remembered. It is with great pride that I 
celebrate the life and service of COL Owen A. Heeter.

                          ____________________