Jesse H. Heath, Jr. collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089

Summary

Extent:
7 Folder Series 1, Correspondence: Three folders by year Series 2, Death and military decorations: One folder of newspaper clippings and two folders of correspondence and other related items
Creator:
Heath, Jesse H., Jr. (Jesse Heath), 1917-1945
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of items related to Jesse H. Heath, Jr. (VMI Class of 1938) who was killed in action in Belgium on January 3, 1945. Items include:

  • Correspondence (dated 1941-1993); some of this correspondence has been transcribed from original letters
  • Newspaper clippings (1944-1948)
  • One public relations article by Headquarters 2nd Armored Division (October 12, 1944)
  • One speech by Luke Bolin (May 30, 1945)
  • One sermon describing Heath (March 3, 1946)
  • One article about Heath by Norwich Free Academy, Connecticut
  • One Wall of Liberty certificate (1993)
  • Two Victory Liberty Loan coins

The correspondence in this series has been transcribed from original letters. The letters are primarily from Jesse H. Heath, Jr. to members of his family and friends.

This series contains items related to Jesse H. Heath, Jr.'s death and military decorations.

This file contains:

  • Correspondence realted to Jesse H. Heath Jr.'s death and military decorations (1945-1949)
  • A sermon describing the "Jessee Hartwell Heath, Junior, memorial window" at Saint Pauls' Church in Petersburg, Virginia (March 3, 1946)
  • An article about Heath by Norwich Free Academy, Connecticut
  • A certificate of registration on the Wall of Liberty (October 8, 1993)

Biographical / historical:

Jesse Hartwell Heath, Jr. was born on February 8, 1917 to Emily Gordan Heath and Jesse Hartwell Heath, Sr. He graduated from VMI in 1938. In 1942 he commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. Heath was killed in action in Belguim on January 3, 1945.

Physical description:
The records are in fair condition. Some letters have creases due to being placed inside envelopes for mailing.