Lt. Walter R. Heins USN Reserve

LT. WALTER R. HEINS USN RESERVE

1936 - 1967

NEAR THIS SITE ON OCTOBER 4, 1967, U.S. NAVY LT. WALTER R. HEINS EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE IN HIS DOUGLAS A4 ATTACK JET. IN HIS ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO SOUTH WEYMOUTH NAVAL AIR STATION, HE REALIZED AS HE LOST ALTITUDE, THAT EJECTING FROM THE AIRCRAFT WOULD RESULT IN THE AIRCRAFT CRASHING INTO EITHER THE KENNEDY SCHOOL OR RESIDENTIAL AREA. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AWAY FROM THE POPULATED AREAS. DISREGARDING HIS PERSONAL SAFETY, FLYING AT AN EXTREMELY LOW ALTITUDE, HE WAS UNABLE TO PARACHUTE FROM THE PLANE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF HIS LIFE.

LT HEINS' DEDICATION AND VALOR RESULTED IN SPARING OF HOLBROOK RESIDENTS ON THE GROUND. THIS PLAQUE IS DEDICATED TO HIS MEMORY AND BRAVE ACTIONS.

 

DEDICATED BY THE GRATEFUL RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF HOLBROOK

 

HOLBROOK HISTORICAL COMMISSION

2O17