World War II Honoree

Harvey Vernon Hilmer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Columbus, Nebraska

Honored By

Debra Jahn

Relationship

Daughter

TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE, 347TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION SERVED 17 MONTHS OVERSEAS IN AFRICA and ITALY. DROVE VARIOUS TYPES OF VEHICLES UNDER COMBAT CONDITIONS. AWARDED BATTLE STARS FOR ROME-ARNO CAMPAIGN, APENNINES CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF THE PO VALLEY. DROVE A LIAISON JEEP, CARRYING OBSERVERS, TO VANTAGE POINTS IN THE FRONT LINES, CONCEALED VEHICLE AND BROUGHT OBSERVER BACK. FREQUENTLY, WHEN ENEMY FIRE WAS TOO GREAT, WOULD ABANDON JEEP AND PROCEED ON FOOT CARRYING A TWO-WAY RADIO FOR SENDING INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION BACK TO COMMAND POST. AWARDED PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN COMBAT.