Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mathew C. Heffelfinger

Died November 8, 2009 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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29, of Kimberly, Idaho; assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died Nov. 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his OH-58D helicopter crashed. Also killed was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Earl R. Scott III.

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Town stood still while local son was buried

The Associated Press

Matthew C. Heffelfinger’s father says he was humble and could do without drawing attention to himself.

“He was one who walked the walk and commanded respect by his actions without needing to talk that talk,” Craig Heffelfinger said.

Heffelfinger, 29, joined the Army in April 2000. He was assigned in December 2007 to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and served as a Kiowa helicopter pilot.

On Nov. 8, he died in a helicopter crash in Tikrit, Iraq, along with Chief Warrant Officer Earl R. Scott of Jacksonville, Fla.

About 250 people attended services for Heffelfinger in rural Kimberly, Idaho, his hometown. Throughout the community, signs on businesses honored him and flags were flown at half-mast.

“We were humbled to see so many businesses with signs showing support and their sincere condolences,” Craig Heffelfinger said.

Heffelfinger leaves behind his wife, Tanya, and the couple’s two children.