Matt Heffernan

USS Wasp (CV-7) Logo

Matt Heffernan's Recommended World War II Reading List

   Matt Heffernan has been a member of the 10th Mountain Division Living History Display Group since 2001. Matt has been an avid amateur historian since he was in grammar school. Matt first became interested in World War II when his Mom told him about his Grandfather, Stanley Tuzikowski, who died of wounds after the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) was torpedoed and sunk at Guadalcanal on September 15, 1942.  Everyone has a different reason for participating in this hobby. Matt enjoys interacting with the veterans at the different events. This, in some way, makes him feel closer to his Grandfather. Matt is the Vice-President of the USS Wasp (CV-7) Stinger Club. At the recent dedication of the Robert J. Dole Center for Politics, Matt found a jeep painted like one assigned to the USS Wasp. Click on the picture below and see Matt holding his Grandfather's dog tags while posing next to the jeep.

   An avid reader, Matt has spent the last few years focusing on autobiographies and historiographies set in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Please click on the link above in order to see Matt's recommendations.

Matt Heffernan grew up in Chicago, attending Fenwick High School in Oak Park. Hockey has been a big part of Matt's life. Matt spent two years as an assistant equipment manager for the Chicago Blackhawks (1987-89). Matt also worked for five years for the suppliers of the Chicago Blackhawks, Gunzo's Sports Center.

   Matt works for VMware, Inc., where he teaches VMware's customers how to implement their latest technologies. Matt currently is studying for his MBA in Accounting and Finance from Regis University. Matt also holds a BA in political science from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver College of Law. After being admitted to the Colorado Bar, Matt practiced law for several years but found it unsatisfying. Intrigued by the developments in technology, and the signs (at the time) of the coming Internet boom, Matt moved into Information Technology. In his spare time, Matt invests and manages rental property in Colorado.