Frank A. Hebenstreit, Jr. graduated from Falls City High School where, during his senior year, he was placed on the All-State basketball team. He then graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, where he was also on the basketball team.

On 14 August 1944, Second Lieutenant Frank A. Hebenstreit, Jr. was serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, First U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, 2LT Hebenstreit’s unit was in action against German forces in France as part of Operation Overlord when his platoon encountered a German force composed of infantry and armor. As the German force came within range, 2LT Hebenstreit moved to the head of his platoon and led an attack that forced it to withdraw. Far ahead of his men, 2LT Hebenstreit pursued the retreating Germans and forced the surrender of 2 Mark IV tanks. As he led a charge upon a 3rd tank, he was struck by direct fire and sustained wounds that proved fatal on 23 August. 2LT Hebenstreit’s aggressive leadership, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. He is now buried in Falls City Cemetery, Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska, USA.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Frank A. Hebenstreit, Jr. (0-529747), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 14 August 1944, in France. Second Lieutenant Hebenstreit's platoon encountered a strong enemy force of infantry and armor. He unhesitatingly proceeded to the head of his platoon and, as the hostile force came within range, personally spearheaded a vigorous attack which forced the enemy to withdraw. Pursuing the retreating Germans relentlessly, Second Lieutenant Hebenstreit, far in advance of his men, boldly forced the surrender of two Mark IV tanks. While leading a charge upon a third tank, he was struck by direct short-range fire and was fatally wounded. Second Lieutenant Hebenstreit's aggressive leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 22 (February 8, 1945)
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, http://www.militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=313734