Pilcher was born in Dothan, Alabama, on January 1, 1898, to Richard and Della Pilcher. The second of five children, the family moved to Noma, Florida, in 1910. Luther's last known residence was in Chipley, Florida. Pilcher enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 4, 1915, and served in Haiti and Cuba from 1915-1917. After the United States entered World War I, the 5th Marine Regiment was activated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pilcher and his regiment left for France in August of 1917, arriving on the 22nd. The 5th was among the first of the American Expeditionary Forces to arrive in Europe. Pilcher and his regiment took part in the Battle of Belleau Wood in June of 1918. On June 6th, the bloodiest day of the battle, Pilcher was killed in action. He posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the French Fourragere for his service and sacrifice. He is buried in the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at Plot B Row 10 Grave 68 in Belleau, France.

In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in the Florida National Cemetery available to the public. The project engages UCF students in research and writing and fosters collaboration between students, faculty and local Central Florida schools to produce interactive curriculum for k-12 students. The corresponding website exhibit uses RICHES Mosaic Interface to create a digital archive of related data. The public can use the project-developed augmented-reality app at more than 100 gravesites at the Florida National Cemetery, where they can access the UCF student-authored biographies of veterans.]]>
Veterans Legacy Program Collection]]> ]]> The Florida Department of Military Affairs]]>
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Pilcher was born in Dothan, Alabama, on January 1, 1898, to Richard and Della Pilcher. The second of five children, the family moved to Noma, Florida, in 1910. Luther's last known residence was in Chipley, Florida. Pilcher enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 4, 1915, and served in Haiti and Cuba from 1915-1917. After the United States entered World War I, the 5th Marine Regiment was activated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pilcher and his regiment left for France in August of 1917, arriving on the 22nd. The 5th was among the first of the American Expeditionary Forces to arrive in Europe. Pilcher and his regiment took part in the Battle of Belleau Wood in June of 1918. On June 6th, the bloodiest day of the battle, Pilcher was killed in action. He posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the French Fourragere for his service and sacrifice. He is buried in the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at Plot B Row 10 Grave 68 in Belleau, France.

In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program continues, engaging a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in national cemeteries available to the public. The project engages UCF students in research and writing and fosters collaboration between students, faculty and local Central Florida schools to produce interactive curriculum for k-12 students. The corresponding website exhibit uses RICHES Mosaic Interface to create a digital archive of related data. The public can use the project-developed augmented-reality app at more than 100 headstones at four national cemeteries, two in Florida (Florida National Cemetery and St. Augustine National Cemetery) and two in France (American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries at Aisne-Marne and the Meuse-Argonne), where they can access the UCF student-authored biographies of veterans.]]>
Veterans Legacy Program Collection]]> ]]> RICHES for educational purposes only.]]>
The Wilkes-Barre Record announcing the death of three servicemen during World War II. One notable servicemen cited in the article is Major Jack Cameron Heist (1919-1944). Maj. Heist was born to Henry S. Heist and Christina Heist on November 6, 1919, in Eustis, Florida. He received his commission on May 29, 1941, to serve in World War II. Maj. Heist was an Ammunition Officer for the XIX Corps. He died during his service in an ambush on September 2, 1944, near Thiant, France. He is currently buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France. Maj. Heist is one of 85 Florida residents interned at Epinal.]]> Three Killed on Local List of Casualties." The Wilkes-Barre Record, September 20, 1944, page 3. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4441134/the_wilkesbarre_record/.]]> The Wilkes-Barre Record]]> Epinal American Cemetery Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> The Wilkes-Barre Record.]]> The Wilkes-Barre Record and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]> The Wilkes-Barre Record announcing the death of five servicemen, the missing reports of two servicemen, and the wounded status of three servicemen during World War II. One notable servicemen cited in the article is Major Jack Cameron Heist (1919-1944). Maj. Heist was born to Henry S. Heist and Christina Heist on November 6, 1919, in Eustis, Florida. He received his commission on May 29, 1941, to serve in World War II. Maj. Heist was an Ammunition Officer for the XIX Corps. He died during his service in an ambush on September 2, 1944, near Thiant, France. He is currently buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France. Maj. Heist is one of 85 Florida residents interned at Epinal.]]> 5 Local Servicemen Are Reported Dead." The Wilkes-Barre Record, September 21, 1944, page 8. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4441055/the_wilkesbarre_record/.]]> The Wilkes-Barre Record]]> Epinal American Cemetery Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> The Wilkes-Barre Record.]]> The Wilkes-Barre Record and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]> 0:00:40 Family life
0:01:05 Family in the Military
0:01:19 Education before joining the Marine Corps
0:01:45 Reason for enlistment in the Marines
0:02:30 Family reaction to enlistment
0:02:49 Boot camp
0:03:42 View of instructors - then and now
0:04:26 Most memorable experience in boot camp
0:04:59 Being a woman in boot camp
0:05:20 Advanced training
0:06:01 First duty station
0:06:24 Role at first duty station
0:06:37 Typical day at first duty station
0:07:20 Life at San Diego Recruit Depot
0:08:00 How Parris Island compared to San Diego
0:08:20 Cold War's effect on Military life
0:08:59 Entertainment in the Military
0:09:55 Assignment in Orlando
0:11:10 Being a woman in the Marine Corps/ "Tailhook"
0:12:55 Memorable moments at Camp Smith
0:14:07 Leaving the Military
0:14:58 Reason for leaving the Marines rather than applying to Officer Program
0:15:31 Highest rank in the Marines
0:15:51 Awards and medals
0:16:33 Life after the Marines
0:17:04 Joining UCF
0:17:04 Contracting and purchasing
0:17:50 Contact with Marines
0:18:06 Military influence on life
0:18:37 Utilizing military experience with UCF
0:19:15 Expert marksmanship]]>
Ekern, Sharon L. Interviewed by Roy McKinney. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, RICHES of Central Florida, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Ekern, Sharon L. Interviewed by Roy McKinney. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, RICHES of Central Florida, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, RICHES of Central Florida, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> QuickTime.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>