Times News -- A U.S. Army pilot from Kimberly who was killed Sunday in a
helicopter crash will be laid to rest next week.
Funeral services for Chief Warrant Officer Mathew C. Heffelfinger have been scheduled for Nov. 20 at the Kimberly LDS Stake Center, with burial following in Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls, according to a death notice submitted to the Times-News.
Heffelfinger, 29, and 24-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Earl R. Scott, of Jacksonville, Fla., died from injuries received when their OH-58D “Kiowa” helicopter crashed near Tikrit, Iraq. Scott was also a pilot; both were based out of Hawaii and assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
The military is investigating the crash, which was not combat-related.
According to the Army, Heffelfinger joined the service in April 2000 and has been based in Hawaii since December 2007. His medals indicate he served in one campaign in Afghanistan and two in Iraq, and he also held Army Aviator and Parachutist badges.
His body arrived Tuesday in Dover, Del., but family members have not learned yet when he will arrive in the Magic Valley or even where he’ll be flown in, his father, Craig Heffelfinger, said Wednesday evening. The family is declining further comment out of respect for Mathew, who was a private, humble individual, his father said.
An honor guard is being arranged to accompany the pilot, and local veterans also said Wednesday that they hope to honor Heffelfinger when his casket arrives.
Robert S. Jackson Jr., with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said that as soon as his group learns when Heffelfinger will be flown into Twin Falls, members will call veterans organizations to be at the airport.
“I believe it shows the solidarity of the veterans with the family,” Jackson said. “Now we have one of our fallen comrades come home.”