Evening star., 1948-10-13

! WHICH, llC WdS Tc.clcCtcO, Nc WaS
given a silver bowl "in affectionate
appreciation of his leadership, un.
swerving loyalty and unselfish serv-
Ice"
His reelection also was recognized
by the Advertising Club of Wash
ington. when nearly 200 members
Joined in paying tribute to "the local
boy who made good in his own city
at luncheon in his honor.
On that occasion, the late Melvin
c. Hazen, then president of the
Board of Commissioners, extended
his greetings to Col. Heron both in
his official capacity and as an old
friend. -.
Col. Heron began his military
career in high school, when he served
for three years as q cadet. Then he
Joined the Morton Cadets-Wash-
ington's pride before the Spanish
American War. Col. Heron was
sergeant of the prize e-winning Nor
ton Cadets drill team.
Back in the eos, Washington resi-
dents used to gather on the curb
in front of the old Arlington Hotel
and watch the Morton Cadets drill
on Vermont avenue.
Volunteered for War.
When the war came, SO per cent
of the Morton Cadets volunteered,
and Col. Heron was among them.
He was I'd lieutenant in the 1st
District of Columbia Volunteers,
serving through the siege of Santi-
ago, Cuba, and witnessing the sur
render of the Spanish Army.
yellow fever struck the company
and a hospital ship debarked Col.
Heron at Boston. His father, j.
Whit Heron, then business and
advertising manager Of The Star,
brought the young soldier home
from the Army hospital.
Col. Heron was the last surviv-
ing officer of the Morton Cadets,
who gathered each year at an
anniversary dinner to call the roll
of their fallen comrades.
Before the war, Col. Heron had
decided to follow in his fathers
footsteps. He went straight from
Central High School to The Star,
where he worked as a messenger,
newspaper boy and route boy.
Mustered out Of the Federal serv-
ice in November, 1898, he returned
to The Star and worked himself up
to the position Of advertising man
ager at the age of 80.
Active in National Guard.
During the first decade of the
Goth century he also was active in
the National Guard. Over q 16-
year period he served as a private,
sergeant, second lieutenant, first
lieutenant, captain, major, inspector
general and aide to the command
ing general.
He resigned for business reasons,
but came back into the National
Guard to command Troop B, 1st
Cavalry, "the Presidents own" In
1916.
The United States was not then
at war, but at the time Col. Heron
was given his new command he
emphasized that the social side" of
military life was necessary. but that
members of the troop, as well as
others, are to understand that the
troop is primarily military organ
ization."
As q Cavalry captain. he served
on the Mexican border. He was
mustered into the Federal service
in July, 1917, and commanded the
1st Battalion. 10th Field Artillery.
of the 10Th Division. He served
in France from June, 1918, to May,
1919, as major.
Returned to The Star.
Discharged at Camp Meade, Col.
Heron returned to The Star.
Shortly afterwards he was called
upon to organize the -313th Field
Artillery as a reserve regiment. He
was given . list Of reserve officers in
this area and told to go to work.
Col. Heron saw to it that his
outfit had the first reserve regi-
mental colors and insignia. He
gave the regiment the Latin motto
handed down in the Heron family
by valor, we attain great deeds"
He passed the examination to
qualify him as brigadier general
in case of emergency and served
as acting brigade commander of
the 155th Field Artillery Brigade
with headquarters here.
One of the responsibilities of the
reserve regiment was the training
of young officers. many of whom
went on to serve in World War II.
Philosophy Appreciated.
The officers liked his philosophy
as a disciplinarian, which they
summed up as, DO the right thing
or do the wrong thing, but for
Gods sake, do something!"
Tears glistened behind his pince
nez glasses on the night, back in
1910, when he told his officers they
would have to carry on the traditions
of the regiment without him. Army
physicians had put him on the in
active list.
To his military record is appended
the following:
"(He) has the complete confidence
of the entire community of Wash
ington and particularly the National
Guard"
For his military service, he was
awarded the Spanish War Campaign
Badge. the Mexican Border Service
Badge and the World War I Victory
Medal with Overseas Bars.
Although he couldn't 60 to war a
third time, he served his country at
home as chairman of a committee
of newspaper advertising men who
worked with the Treasury on adver-
tising to sell War Bonds.
Served Association Board.
After his two terms as president
of the Newspaper Advertising Ex-
ecutives' Association, he continued
his activities in the organization as
a member of the board and later as
a life honorary president.
Col. Heron also was past COM
mander Of the District Commandery
SINCE 1888