Col. Ludwig "Lou" Faistenhammer, Jr.

YORK- Col. Ludwig “Lou” Faistenhammer, Jr., 101, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at Country Meadows Leader Heights. He was the husband of the late Damenica M. “Mamie” (Barbaro) Faistenhammer.

Col Faistenhammer was born in Munich Germany and immigrated to the US with his parents, Ludwig Faistenhammer, Sr., and Mary (Kurz) Faistenhammer Karban. He spent his youth in Binghamton, NY. He volunteered for active duty after graduating from high school in 1943 and served in the European Theater with General Patton’s 3rd Army as a tank gunner and tank commander in WWII. He attended University at St. Bonaventure in New York after the war ended.

In Korea, he served as Company Commander. He was also a Ranger, serving as a Platoon Leader and then Commanding Officer of the 7th Ranger Company. He spent most of his Army career in Special Forces from being a team leader as well as other Special Forces commands.

He was an exceptional leader of Troops. He spent much of his time training troops in Taiwan, Laos, and Vietnam. He had various jobs training the Vietnamese for combat situations. In Vietnam, he was also Commander of the Delta area under combat conditions.

His last assignment, before retiring was at Fort Bragg, NC as the Chief of Combat Developments for all Special Forces. He retired from active duty on November 1, 1974, after 30 dedicated years of service having earned the following medals and awards: Purple Heart (3), Bronze Star (4), Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachute Badge with Combat Jumps, Ranger Tab, as well as numerous other medals.

After retiring, he was employed under contract in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan for seven years. In his retirement he taught water aerobics at the Jewish Community Center in York for 30 years.

Col Faistenhammer was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in York. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the American Legion, Special Forces Association, Special Operations Association, Korean Airborne Ranger Association and was a life member of the VFW.

He leaves two daughters, Josephine “Joie” Shue and her husband James of York and Mari Akers and her husband Stanley of Evergreen, CO; five grandchildren; Matthew Shue (Amy), Christine McManamon (Christopher), Bradley Akers (Kristen), Emily (Akers) Riney (Shaun), and William Faistenhammer; a step-granddaughter, Mattie Gilday; six great grandchildren, Patrick McManamon, Sarah McManamon, TJ Shue, Callie Shue, Rosie Riney, and Cora Faistenhammer; and a daughter-in-law, Linda Faistenhammer. He was preceded in death by a son, Col William L. Faistenhammer and a brother, Joseph Karban.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. StJude.org

A viewing will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 5-8 p.m. at Olewiler and Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place in Red Lion. On Saturday, June 21, 2025 there will be a visitation from 10-11 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2935 Kingston Rd. in York. The Mass will be webcast live and can be viewed by searching Lou’s obituary at HeffnerCare.com Military honors will be provided by York County Veterans Honor Guard at the conclusion of Mass. Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

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