Michael D. Healy, 91, formerly of Oak Park, died on April 14, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Born on June 13, 1926 in Oak Park, he was the son of the chief deputy of detectives for the Chicago Police Department. According to the obituary published in the Washington Post, his disciplinarian father insisted that he and his three brothers eat dinner in a coat and tie, sitting of the edge of their chairs. He once said military life had nothing on his life at home growing up.
“Iron Mike” Healy graduated from Fenwick in 1945 and immediately enlisted, two months before the end of World War II. After commanding a Ranger company during the Korean War, he joined Special Forces and eventually led the “Green Berets” in Vietnam. The Post obituary quotes novelist James Jones about Healy: “You knew his aggressive physical courage was monumental, and that his nerves were absolute steel.”
His military honors included three Distinguished Service Medals, two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star, four Legion of Merit Awards, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Considered an expert on counterinsurgency, he is also a member of the Fenwick Wall of Fame.
Michael Healy is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jacklyn (Maddrix); six sons; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
