Elvin Ragnvald Heiberg I | |
---|---|
Governor of Cotabato | |
Personal details | |
Born | Minnesota | April 12, 1873
Died | March 2, 1917 Udine, Italy | (aged 43)
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1896–1917 |
Rank | Major |
Battles/wars |
Spanish-American War Philippine-American War World War I |
Major Elvin Ragnvald Heiberg I (April 12, 1873 – March 2, 1917), served as the governor of Cotabato on Mindanao island in the Philippines. He was killed in action during World War I. [1] [2]
He was born on April 12, 1873, in Minnesota to John Peter Heiberg (1829-1908) and Marie Dorethe Gronn (1846-1929).
Heiberg was appointed to the United States Military Academy from Wisconsin in 1892 and graduated 40th in his class, in 1896. [2] Commissioned as a cavalry officer, he served in Puerto Rico during the Spanish–American War. He then participated in the China Relief Expedition and served in the Philippine–American War. [3]
Heiberg died on March 2, 1917, at the Austro-Italian front during World War I when his horse was frightened and reared. He fell off his horse and his head hit a rock. [1] His remains were returned to the United States and interred at the West Point Cemetery on May 19, 1920. [4]
The story attached to his wife's journal letters says that he was accidentally killed while "demonstrating a dismount-at-full-gallop from a horse to a gathering of nobility and diplomats. In America, horses are trained to stop when the rider is making a dismount at full gallop. In Europe, horses are trained to keep galloping on when the rider makes a dismount. Major Heiberg was not aware of that important difference in training, and he made the demonstration on a horse trained in Europe. Therefore, he was trampled by the horse when he made the dismount and did not survive his injuries. A tragic ending for a very noble officer and gentleman." [5]