He was unable to play in USC's a 29–0 win over Washington in the Rose Bowl, due to being drafted into the United States Marine Corps and sent to the South Pacific Ocean to serve on the USS Iowa.

He entered the V-12 program, which was initiated to meet the increased need for Navy and Marine Corps officers, allowed him to stay in school while learning the military basics.

The program allowed officer candidates to attend civilian schools while in an enlisted status in the Navy or Marine Corps.

[3] After his initial discharge from the Marines following World War II, Heywood completed his degree in cinematography at USC.

After retiring from active duty, Heywood became the Commandant of the Marine Military Academy, located in Harlingen, Texas.

[4] On April 10, 2007, Heywood died in Bandera, Texas, while laying in the arms of his wife, Suzie, as she softly sang to him.