The Final 19: The Dan Hefel POW Story
Specialist Daniel H. Hefel, who was a POW during the Vietnam War, will be featured in an independent film created by director Tim Breitbach to be presented at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival April 18 and April 20. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
An independent film: The Final 19: The Dan Hefel POW Story, directed by Tim Breitbach, will be presented at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival on April 18 at 4:30 p.m. in the Julien Dubuque Hotel Ballroom and on April 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the Five Flags Civic Center in Dubuque. Since 2012 the film festival has been enriching the community and uniting cultures through the education and promotion of the arts through independent film.
Tim Breitbach is an award-winning writer, director and producer, and the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Optimal Entertainment. He was born and raised in Dubuque, and currently resides in St. Louis, Mo., with his wife, Alison, son, Ellis and daughter, Severa.
Breitbach has created and directed 25 television shows and feature documentaries. He has won multiple Emmy Awards; a Sundance screen writing award; and is a two-time recipient of NAACP Image Award for best reality show. His pedigree spans advertising, branded entertainment and original entertainment. His latest projects are vast and varied and have an undeniable essence.
Specialist Daniel H. Hefel
Specialist Daniel H. Hefel entered the Army in December 1968, and was sent to Vietnam in 1969 as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He served as a foot soldier, and would eventually volunteer for a door gunner position aboard a helicopter. He would serve with the new outfit just over a month before the helicopter carrying Hefel, and three other soldiers was fired upon, causing them to collide into a mountain. Hefel suffered severe burns, broken teeth, a broken arm and broken back. During his initial imprisonment he was almost completely paralyzed from the waist down.
A report was delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hefel of Guttenberg by Police Chief Clark Moser at 10 p.m. on Feb. 9, 1970. The document informed the couple that their son, Specialist Four Daniel H. Hefel had been reported missing in Vietnam. It stated: "He was last seen as door gunner on a military aircraft on a military mission when contact was lost with the aircraft. Search is in progress. You will be promptly advised when further information is received. In order to protect any information that might be used to your success detriment, your cooperation is requested in making public only information concerning his name, rank, and service number."
It would be four arduous months before Hefel's family received confirmation that he was alive, and another three years before they would be reunited with their beloved son on March 30, 1973.
Hefel’s ordeal is the subject of Finally Home written by William Winders of Dubuque. The book shares Hefel's military service in Vietnam and his captivity as a prisoner for three years in Hanoi. Finally Home shares the prisoner of war's determination to remain vigilant in his faith in God – often reviewing his religious teachings, and stay connected to his family through the confidence his parents instilled in him as a young child.
Specialist Daniel H. Hefel is the recipient of a Bronze Star; Purple Heart; Prisoner of War Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Vietnam Campaign Medal and National Defense Medal.
Inspiration for
The Final 19: The Dan Hefel POW Story
"Dan and I are distantly related through my grandmother," shared Breitbach. "Through the years relatives told me their rendition of Dan's story. As I became more successful as a director, my desire to visit with Dan in person and hear his story, in his own words, became evident. Once I heard Dan speak with such intensity and emotion it inspired me to created the film The Final 19: The Dan Hefel POW Story."
"It is a true horror story about the terrors of war with some comedic moments. It is about a man trying to make decisions for himself during war time when they are made for you." He added, "The film covers Dan's enlistment, captivity and final return home to a community of loved ones that held a 1143-day candle vigil for their war hero."
The film encapsulates 34 stories told by Dan, and is accompanied by a 34-verse song performed by local musicians Pearl Breitbach and Scott Guthrie of "Medicinal Purpose." The song runs the entire length of the film and sets the mood for viewers as they travel through the late 60's and early 70's. "I paid for the movie and was on a limited budget." Breitbach explained, "I wrote the 34-verse song because I really needed to be creative with sound design and archival footage. Dan translates his story and takes you back to the moment – it is pretty incredible."
The filmmaker describes his artistic piece as a classic Midwest patchwork quilt. "I had to use what was available. There are a lot of different pieces telling the story of Dan's life," he commented. "There are so many people in and around Guttenberg who are included in the film. It is a story about all of us. Our Facebook community is comprised of 3300 followers."
Breitbach concluded, "The people involved are so passionate. Dan gave everything over there. When they heard he was missing in action they presumed he was dead. At that time MIA meant that there was not enough body parts to send home. It is really a coming home story for me as well, and to have the film premiere in my own hometown makes it even more special."
