Age 24. 122 Mills Street, Statesville, NC. Born on 11/12/1918, in Statesville, NC. Died of burns (death certificate). Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve, naval architecture student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (rooming at 469 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston). Known by his middle name Gordon. First name Harry (misreported as "Henry" in some accounts, possibly a misassumed formal variation of "Harry"). Was an escort of M.I.T. student Miss Phyllis Atkins, age 22, of Dorchester, MA. The latter died 158 days post-blaze on 5/05/1943. His immediate whereabouts after the fire was at first unknown. Was sought by two M.I.T. roommates who visited Chelsea Naval Hospital, Chelsea, MA, to report his absence. Pair were informed that all Grove victims present at the facility were identified except one, wearing a ring and believed a naval officer, "...because of two officer's buttons attached to a small piece of coat" (First Naval District inquest transcript, 12/01/1942). Roommates claimed to be familiar with his ring: "Upon seeing the ring they both stated that they believed that it was the ring" (naval inquest transcript, 12/01/1942). "A message, reaching here shortly before noon today [Tuesday], from the Navy department in Washington, brought news of young Heath's death to his mother..." (The Landmark, Statesville, NC, 11/30/1942). Was single. Was a graduate of Statesville, NC, High School in 1936. Had attended Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, NC, for two years. Was a graduate of North Carolina State College, Raleigh, NC, 1941. Entered the Navy the past July. Was preparing to ship out to Europe. Slight build (WWII draft registration, October '40: 5' 9,'' 134 lbs.). Miss Atkins above became the 490th and final Grove victim more than five months after the tragedy at Boston City Hospital, where she had been confined since the catastrophe. Was one of two Tar Heel State fire casualties (also patron James "Jimmy" Jenkins, age 22, victim in a separate party). Parents Mrs. Mary Lee (Cash) and stepfather Mr. Hartsell W. Beaver, same North Carolina address. Late birth father Mr. William A. Heath. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery, Statesville, NC.

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