Pfc. Hegwood was born June 17, 1940 in Denver, Colorado and raised in Alliance,  Nebraska. She enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was assigned to the  United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot (USMCRD), at Paris Island, South Carolina for basic training (Boot Camp).

Following basic training, Private First Class Hegwood was stationed at Camp LeJune, North Carolina.

 She was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

 Pfc. Hegwood was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps on August 4, 1961.