Joseph Justin Heltsley served in the Army of the United States as a sergeant, E5, with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Vietnam. Born on August 2, 1947, in Brookville, Ohio, and a member of Brookville High School's Class of 1966, he arrived as an 11B40 infantryman replacement on March 17, 1969. The 25th Infantry Division was one of the most decorated divisions to fight in Vietnam, and the 2/12 Infantry fought vicious battles in early 1969 while operating northeast of Cu Chi in the Ho Bo Woods, the Bo Loi Woods, and the "Citadel" in the northeastern portion of Hau Nghia Province. Heltsley died of wounds received in combat on June 16, 1969, in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. His honors included the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, and Vietnam Campaign awards.