Elvin R. Heiberg III
Encyclopedia
Elvin R. Heiberg III became a third-generation West Pointer when he graduated fifth in the United States Military Academy
class of 1953. He later obtained three master's degrees; the first a Master of Science in civil engineering
from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, then two Master of Arts degrees from George Washington University
, one in government and one in administration. He also received a degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Early in his military career Heiberg served as Operations Officer of the 3d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division, in Germany, and taught in the Social Sciences Department at the Military Academy. In 1968-69 he commanded the divisional 4th Engineer Battalion
in Vietnam and was awarded a Silver Star
. He then served as Special Assistant and Executive Assistant to the Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness, under the Executive Office of the President.
Heiberg served for a year as Executive to Secretary of the Army Howard Callaway
. He then headed the Corps' New Orleans District and in 1975-78 the Ohio River Division. He served as senior engineer on the staff of U.S. Army, Europe, in 1978-79. Heiberg was the Corps' Director of Civil Works in 1979-82 and then Deputy Chief of Engineers. After managing the Army's Ballistic Missile Defense Program for a year, he became Chief of Engineers
in 1984. Heiberg graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
. Heiberg, the 46th Chief of Engineers, remains the youngest "Chief" of the Corps of Engineers since 1838, when Brig. Gen. Totten became the 11th "Chief Engineer" (then the title).
Heiberg retired as a Lieutenant General
(three stars) in June 1988.
Now as a civilian, Heiberg was chief executive officer of Rollins Field Services, Inc., under the Delaware firm Rollins Environmental Services, 1988-1990. He then moved to J.A. Jones Construction
, a major engineering firm headquartered in Charlotte, NC. He headed J.A. Jones Construction Services from 1990–1993 and, in 1992 started J.A. Jones Environmental Services.
In 1993, Heiberg moved back to the Washington DC area and founded Heiberg Associates, Inc. That firm, now over 15 years old, provides engineering and environmental consulting services to a variety of clients.
Heiberg was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and later became a founding member of the National Academy of Construction. Heiberg often provides volunteer services to the National Research Council, the research/study arm of the two National Academies (Science;Engineering). Since the year 2000 that work has been primarily in reviewing draft reports before they are finalized.
Heiberg married Kathryn ("Kitty") Schrimpf in Kansas in 1953, after graduating from the United States Military Academy. She accompanied Heiberg on most of his military assignments. As of 2008 they reside in the Washington DC area, where Heiberg Associates is headquartered, and where Mrs. Heiberg runs her own business in antiques, porcelain repair and custom framing, known as "Creative Concepts". Among her many volunteer efforts, Mrs. Kitty Heiberg has performed work within the Nixon White House and a great variety of Army and Army wives' community efforts. They have four grown children, all married, and several grandchildren.
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
class of 1953. He later obtained three master's degrees; the first a Master of Science in civil engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, then two Master of Arts degrees from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, one in government and one in administration. He also received a degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Early in his military career Heiberg served as Operations Officer of the 3d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division, in Germany, and taught in the Social Sciences Department at the Military Academy. In 1968-69 he commanded the divisional 4th Engineer Battalion
4th Engineer Battalion (United States)
The 4th Engineer Battalion is an engineer battalion of the United States Army. It is made up of combat engineers. The unit saw action in the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War...
in Vietnam and was awarded a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
. He then served as Special Assistant and Executive Assistant to the Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness, under the Executive Office of the President.
Heiberg served for a year as Executive to Secretary of the Army Howard Callaway
Howard Callaway
Howard Hollis "Bo" Callaway is a businessman and former politician from the state of Georgia.-Early life and education:Callaway was born in LaGrange, Georgia, west of Atlanta. His grandfather was Fuller Earle Callaway. He attended Georgia Tech and graduated from the United States Military Academy...
. He then headed the Corps' New Orleans District and in 1975-78 the Ohio River Division. He served as senior engineer on the staff of U.S. Army, Europe, in 1978-79. Heiberg was the Corps' Director of Civil Works in 1979-82 and then Deputy Chief of Engineers. After managing the Army's Ballistic Missile Defense Program for a year, he became Chief of Engineers
Chief of Engineers
The Chief of Engineers commands the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a staff officer at The Pentagon, the Chief advises the Army on engineering matters and serves as the Army's topographer and the proponent for real estate and other related engineering programs....
in 1984. Heiberg graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
. Heiberg, the 46th Chief of Engineers, remains the youngest "Chief" of the Corps of Engineers since 1838, when Brig. Gen. Totten became the 11th "Chief Engineer" (then the title).
Heiberg retired as a Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
(three stars) in June 1988.
Now as a civilian, Heiberg was chief executive officer of Rollins Field Services, Inc., under the Delaware firm Rollins Environmental Services, 1988-1990. He then moved to J.A. Jones Construction
J.A. Jones Construction
J.A. Jones Construction was a heavy construction company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Operating internationally since the 1950s, it merged with Germany's Philipp Holzmann AG in 1979....
, a major engineering firm headquartered in Charlotte, NC. He headed J.A. Jones Construction Services from 1990–1993 and, in 1992 started J.A. Jones Environmental Services.
In 1993, Heiberg moved back to the Washington DC area and founded Heiberg Associates, Inc. That firm, now over 15 years old, provides engineering and environmental consulting services to a variety of clients.
Heiberg was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and later became a founding member of the National Academy of Construction. Heiberg often provides volunteer services to the National Research Council, the research/study arm of the two National Academies (Science;Engineering). Since the year 2000 that work has been primarily in reviewing draft reports before they are finalized.
Heiberg married Kathryn ("Kitty") Schrimpf in Kansas in 1953, after graduating from the United States Military Academy. She accompanied Heiberg on most of his military assignments. As of 2008 they reside in the Washington DC area, where Heiberg Associates is headquartered, and where Mrs. Heiberg runs her own business in antiques, porcelain repair and custom framing, known as "Creative Concepts". Among her many volunteer efforts, Mrs. Kitty Heiberg has performed work within the Nixon White House and a great variety of Army and Army wives' community efforts. They have four grown children, all married, and several grandchildren.
Awards and decorations
His military awards included;
Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two Oak Leaf ClusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
s,
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
,
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with six Oak Leaf ClusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
s- Order of the Crown (Belgium)Order of the Crown (Belgium)The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium which was created on 15 October 1897 by King Leopold II in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State. The order was first intended to recognize heroic deeds and distinguished service achieved from service in the Congo Free State - many of which acts...
(Commander) - the Brazilian Order of Military Merit (Grand Commander)