Max Heller, one of the most highly decorated Jewish war veterans in Missouri, who saw extensive combat action in the Pacific Theater in World War II, died Thursday, June 12, 2008. He was 91 years of age.

Mr. Heller was the subject of an extensive interview by Mike Sherwin, assistant editor of the St. Louis Jewish Light, which appeared in the Nov. 7, 2007 edition, in which he recalled his World War II days “with vivid description.” The article coincided with Veteran’s Day of 2007, and much of the following information is derived from that interview.

Sgt. Heller served as a 60mm mortar crewman in the U.S. Army during the war, fighting during campaigns in the Pacific, including New Guinea and the Philippines, “and with distinction: Heller is one of the most highly decorated Jewish War Veterans in Missouri,” wrote Sherwin.

Noting “the sly humor that is readily apparent when listening to Heller tell his stories,” Sherwin noted that when asked when he was drafted into the Army, Heller replied, “When I wasn’t looking.” Heller was drafted in 1941, the year the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was trained in St. Louis and Yuma, Ariz., and then his unit was shipped out to Hawaii to prepare for depoyment to the Pacific Theater of Operations. From Hawaii, Mr. Heller was sent to New Guinea, where he met Australian soldiers.

He was a forward scout observer on Lone Tree Hill, calling in coordinates for mortar attacks, which put him “literally on the front line,” Sherwin noted.

Mr. Heller served with bravery, courage and valor in combat situations, and earned three Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and a Distinguished Service Cross.

After an especially hard battle, Mr. Heller and his comrades in arms spotted a beautiful bird above the action, recalling, “I wished I could just fly away like he could.” He won his Distinguished Service Cross for his service as a forward observer for the mortar company in that action.

Mr. Heller also was engaged in heavy combat, dug in on a hill, on the front line against a defending Japanese force, on “Banzai Hill,” near Marikina on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Wrote Sherwin: “On March 21, 1945, Heller found himself once again dug in on a hill, on the front line against a defending Japanese force.

In the middle of a pitched battle, facing Japanese machine guns, Heller left his foxhole to repair a disconnected communications line to the mortar in the rear. He reconnected the line, and as he stood up, he drew fire and found the location of the machine gunners.

Heller called in the coordinates to the mortar men in the rear. And Heller was often dangerously close. His unit history states that Heller stood up to call in mortar attacks on positions as close as 20 yards away, which put Hellman in dangerous range for friendly fire.

In addition to his numerous decorations and awards, Mr. Heller was nominated for a Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in the Philippines.

After the war, Mr. Heller worked as a public relations man for the police department. He lived in Brentwood in recent years. Mr. Heller was married for 6l years to his late wife, Rebecca (Becky). Their daughter, Sheri (Don) Sherman of St. Louis, had been compiling Mr. Heller’s stories about the war since she had not heard them all and wanted to preserve and share them with their family.

Survivors include daughter, Sheri (Don) Heller Sherman of St. Louis; a son, David Heller of Seattle, Wash., and grandchildren Adam Sherman and Samantha Sherman. Private funeral services were held Monday.

Contributions in Mr. Heller’s memory may be made to the charity or cause of the donor’s choice.