World War II Honoree

Richard Hilliard

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Veblen, South Dakota

Honored By

Mary Lou Francis

Relationship

Niece

PRIVATE, SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY, HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT IN MANILA. HE WAS CAPTURED ON APRIL 9, 1944 AND SURVIVED THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH. HE WAS KILLED AS A POW ON OCTOBER 24, 1944; HE WAS ABOARD A JAPANESE MERCHANT SHIP WHICH WAS TORPEDOED BY AN AMERICAN SUBMARINE. PRIVATE HILLIARD AND APPROXIMATELY 2,000 OTHER PRISONERS DIED WHEN THE SHIP SANK; ONLY 5 MEN SURVIVED.