Charles John Hein Jr

Charles John Hein graduated from Sidney High School where he was known as an adventurous and athletic student. After discovering that college was not challenging enough, he joined the Army where he completed jump school and Green Beret training. In August 1969 he arrived in Vietnam where he became commander for long-range reconnaissance in the central highlands with the 5th Special Forces. His assignment included training Montagnards for covert operations. While preparing for a maneuver, a white phosphorous grenade fell to the floor, detonating the fuse. SSGT Hein picked it up and ran to throw it out of the building. However, it exploded in his hands before he could reach the door. He was airlifted to Pleiku hospital where he died on his 22nd birthday. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his valor. He is buried in Chambers Family Cemetery in rural Fremont County.