Frederick Heyliger

Frederick Theodore “Moose” Heyliger (June 23, 1916 – November 3, 2001) was an American Army officer and World War II veteran. He served as a first lieutenant with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, and briefly commanded the company during the final stages of Operation Market Garden.

Heyliger enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940 and initially trained with the Army Air Corps before becoming an airborne officer. He was assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and served as a mortar platoon leader with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion. After Richard Winters was transferred to battalion headquarters as executive officer, Heyliger took command of Easy Company in October 1944.

On October 23, 1944, Heyliger commanded Easy Company during Operation Pegasus in the Netherlands. Following the failure of Operation Market Garden, he led the rescue and evacuation of 138 British paratroopers from the 1st Airborne Division who had been stranded behind German lines. For his role in the operation, he was awarded the British Military Cross.