Edward 'Babe' Heffron

Edward James “Babe” Heffron (May 16, 1923 – December 1, 2013) was an American Army soldier and World War II veteran. He served as a Private First Class with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, joining the company as a replacement in July 1944.

Born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Heffron left high school during the Great Depression and worked as a ship sandblaster at New York Shipbuilding before enlisting in the U.S. Army in November 1942. He volunteered for the airborne forces and completed his training before being sent to Europe.

Heffron joined Easy Company after the Normandy campaign and served as a machine gunner during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. During the fighting in Bastogne, he earned a Bronze Star for his actions as a machine gunner. He was also involved in the company's advance through Germany and the capture of the Eagle's Nest near Berchtesgaden.