Father Elmer Heindl was awarded several medals for heroism, the DSC, the Silver Star and a Bronze Star with V. Acting as a priest and a caregive, he richly deserved all of the medals.

One of the acts of bravery and compassion was the rescue of a Colonel, seriously wounded, on April 17, 1945. His actions that day would have profound effects on the security of the United States for decades to come.

Frankely-Speaking
The moment he made the turn he was confronted by the two ‘‘ banzai’’ Japanese tanks with turret guns blazing, and men shooting rifles in our direction. White was hit in the upper thigh by a blast, knocked off the side of the road, landing about ten yards below in a small grassy expanse only a few feet wide. The Captain had his head blown off. I dropped my carbine and instinctively jumped down off the road toward what could have been a 2 mile drop. But, fortunately, I landed on this same God- given expanse which had saved first White and now me from a death leap. White was in semi- shock and his thigh was gushing blood. I was in complete shock and only came out of it when he groaned ‘‘ Tourniquet. ’’ Miraculously, and I do not use that word lightly, along with us was the Regimental Catholic Chaplain, Elmer Heindl, one of the most saintly men I have ever met. While I lay there paralyzed with fear and ignorance, he proceeded to bind up the colonel’s leg, probably saving his life.

That man was Colonel Lawrence Kermit White. His memoirs are on Amazon.

Central Intelligence Agency
LAWRENCE K. WHITE 1947-1972

US Army Col. White served with great distinction as Director of the Foreign Broadcast Information Service. His unique contribution, however, was as Deputy Director for Administration and, later, as Executive Director-Comptroller for all the DCIs from Walter Bedell Smith through Richard Helms.

Father Heindl Laid to Rest July 23, 2006

Father Elmer Heindl July 17, 2006