Fallen Mendota Marine Is Promoted

A Marine Corps pilot from Mendota who died  in a training exercise is still making an impact.

While 27-year old 1st. Lt. Thomas Heitmann was buried Monday in Earlville, the U.S. Marine Corps posthumously promoted him to the rank of captain. Mendota Mayor David Boelk has also declared Sept. 19 as Capt. Thomas Heitmann Day.

Heitmann’s helicopter went down September 19th outside Camp Pendleton in California.  A co-pilot from Champaign was also killed in the crash.