Jesse H. Heath, Jr. collectionMS.0544Virginia Military Institute Archives

VMI ArchivesPreston LibraryLexington, VA 24450Business Number: 540-464-7516archives@vmi.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-10-17 07:02:03 -0400.Description is written in: English, Code for undetermined script script. Virginia Military Institute Archives Jesse H. Heath, Jr. collection Heath, Jesse H., Jr. (Jesse Heath), 1917-1945 MS.0544 /repositories/3/resources/840 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 1941-1993 The records are in fair condition. Some letters have creases due to being placed inside envelopes for mailing. English Content Description

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

 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.

 Correspondence Clippings Speeches, Addresses, etc. Coinage—United States Certificates Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1938 World War, 1939-1945—Personal narratives World War, 1939-1945 Correspondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/57883 FolderThree folders by year1941-1944Scope and Contents

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.

Correspondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/5789Heath, Jesse H., Jr. (Jesse Heath), 1917-194541 items1941-1942CorrespondenceWorld War, 1939-1945—Personal narrativesCorrespondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/5790Heath, Jesse H., Jr. (Jesse Heath), 1917-194564 items1943CorrespondenceWorld War, 1939-1945—Personal narrativesCorrespondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/5791Heath, Jesse H., Jr. (Jesse Heath), 1917-194567 items1944Speeches, Addresses, etc.World War, 1939-1945—Personal narrativesDeath and military decorations/repositories/3/archival_objects/57923 FilesOne folder of newspaper clippings and two folders of correspondence and other related items. Folder 1 and Folder 2 were originally stored in an envelope marked "Chaplain's letters & clippings."1944-1993Scope and Contents

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

Heath, Jesse H., Jr. (Jesse Heath), 1917-1945Newspaper clippings/repositories/3/archival_objects/57937 items1944-1948ClippingsWorld War, 1939-1945Military decorationsHeath, Jesse H., Jr. (Jesse Heath), 1917-1945Correspondence, article, and certificate/repositories/3/archival_objects/579515 items1945-1993Scope and Contents

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)

CorrespondenceMilitary decorationsCertificatesSpeeches, Addresses, etc.Heath, Jesse H., Jr. (Jesse Heath), 1917-1945