Sergeant Robert Fred Van Heck

Sergeant Robert Van Heck, who died while serving in the Marine Corps on November 20, 1943 in Betio, Tarawa atoll. Sergeant Van Heck was born on September 18, 1918 in Chicago, IL, the son of Gus and Vivian Van Heck. He entered the Marine Corps on October 2, 1940. Sergeant Van Heck served as an amphibian tractor crewman during the assault on Betio, Tarawa atoll. His vehicle was an LVT-1 model christened “Wabbit Twacks” and the hull was adorned with the number “13 ½” to ward off bad luck.

Sergeant Van Heck’s remains were buried at the site of the battle for 80 years until they were discovered and identified in 2023. Drake and Son Funeral Home is proud to be coordinating with the United States Marine Corps and his family to bring him home and to lay him to rest with his family.

Sergeant Van Heck was the loving brother of the late Frances (nee Van Heck), survived by loving nieces Nancy(nee Boyle) Mazzocchetti, Marilyn(nee Boyle) Smith, Martina (nee Boyle) Obenauf and Vivian ("Dee Dee" nee Boyle) Beekman. Also survived by many great and great great nieces and nephews.

Sergeant Van Heck will be arriving in Chicago on October 8, 2024. He will be received by a Marine escort and there will be a procession from O'Hare to Drake and Son Funeral Home. Our estimated arrival to the funeral home on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 should be between 2:30pm and 3:30pm. If you are able please show your support and help us in honoring Sergeant Robert Fred Van Heck being brought back home.

A special thank you goes out to the U.S. Military for their tireless effort to identify our soldiers who gave their lives in service and to do what it takes to bring them home.