MANSFIELD — A 1996 Madison High School graduate recently became the Command Sergeant Major for the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment — the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Army.
CSM Douglas J. Heston accepted the new leadership position during May 2 ceremonies at the unit’s home at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. In his role, Heston is the senior enlisted advisor to the battalion commanding officer.
His father and step-mother, Doug and Brenda Heston of 118 Walker Ave., Mansfield, attended the ceremony. His mother, Donna Larkin, passed away three years ago.
Heston enlisted into the Army directly after graduating from high school and has served for 23 years in a number of capacities as he has risen through the ranks.
Heston has served four tours in Iraq and three in Afghanistan. He has earned three Bronze Stars, which is awarded for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.
Heston has also earned two Distinguished Meritorious Service Medals; four Meritorious Service Medals; six Army Commendation Medals; two Army Achievement Medals; Meritorious Unit Citation; five Army Good Conduct Medals; National Defense Service Medal; Afghan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars; Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars; Global War on Terriorism Expeditionary Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Army Overseas Service Ribbon with numerical 4; NATO Medal; Ranger Tab; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantryman’s Badge; Parachutist Badge; Air Assault Badge; foreign jump wings from the countries of Latvia, Italy, Netherlands and Thailand; The Major General Aubrey “Red” Newman Award; and the Order of Saint Maurice.
His assignments have included 1-14 Infantry Battalion at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 1-24 Infantry Battalion at Fort Lewis, Wash.; 74th Long-Range Surveillance Detachment; 1-503rd and 1-508th Infantry Battalion at Vicenza, Italy; 1st Special Operations Force Delta at Fort Bragg, N.C.; 1-21 Infantry Battalion at Schofield Barracks; and the Asymetric Warfare Group at Fort Meade, Md.
Heston has earned an associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree in business management. He has attended numerous civilian and military training programs, including Ranger, Airborne, Jumpmaster, Military Free Fall, Pathfinder, Scuba, Air Assault, Recon and Surveillance Leader’s Course and more.
Heston, who is scheduled to retire in two years, met and married his wife, Amber Heston, in July 2000 in Hawaii. They have two children, Douglas Danger Heston, 11, and Rylan Blaze Heston, 8.
