Edward Horstman

Command Sgt. Major Edward F. Horstman, USA (Ret.) died on Monday, December 29, 2008, at his home in Biloxi. Ed joined the Army in 1947 and was stationed in Hawaii with the 37th Engineer Group (Demolitions and Diving Detachment) which took part in 2nd Battalion """"E"""" Company which landed in Pusan, Korea in July 1950 where they engaged and fought in 3 major battles during the Korean War. Ed was then assigned to Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he tested floating and fixed bridges in the United States and Europe. Next, he was assigned as a senior instructor and transferred to US Military Academy at West Point. Following this duty, he was with the 5th Special Forces Group in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam. Upon his return to the US, Ed was assigned as a Senior NCO with the first US Army NCO Academy in the Leadership and Tactical Division. In retirement, Ed held jobs at the Grand Casino and Keesler Air Force Base.
His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with """"V"""", Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, 6 Purple Heart Medals with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Loops, Republic Vietnam Combat Medal with 60 Device, Combat Infantry Badge 2nd Award and Master Parachutist Badge.
Ed was the Commander of Chapter 771 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart which met in Diamondhead each month. He was also the """"Leader"""" of the Ice Cream Brigade (with other chapter members) who served ice cream to veterans at the Biloxi VA Hospital 3 time a month. Ed was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Past President of the Gulf Coast Vietnam Veterans Associations (he worked for years getting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial built in Ocean Springs), a member of the Joppa Shrine and Past Master of Blue Lodge. Ed was also honored to be the Grand Marshal of the Veterans Day Parade held in Biloxi this year, along with his fellow Purple Heart member and long-time friend Command Sgt. Major Tony Pilutti.
Ed was a very special person and loved by many. He leaves behind to mourn him his beloved friend Julia Calaway, her son Richard Calaway and daughter Julia Encalade and their entire family, his brothers John Hortsman and Richard Hortsman, both of Ocala, FL; and his sister, Fran Mikitka of PA. Also a part of his family are all of the members of Chapter 771 who will miss his leadership and his friendship.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 5, 2009, 1:15PM at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Rd., Biloxi. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Biloxi National Cemetery at 2:30PM.
An online obituary may be viewed and guestbook signed at www.riemannfamily.com