World War II Honoree

Bernard V. Hillyer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Xenia, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON OCTOBER 28, 1942 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. AFTER BASIC TRAINING, SPECIALIZED AS AN AMBULANCE DRIVER (MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 345) AND QUALIFIED FOR THE MEDICAL BADGE AND THE DRIVER AND MECHANIC BADGE. ASSIGNED TO COMPANY B, 321ST MEDICAL BATTALION, 96TH INFANTRY ‘DEADEYE’ DIVISION AT CAMP ADAIR, OREGON. AFTER EXTENSIVE TRAINING, INCLUDING AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING WITH THE MARINES, DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JULY 26, 1944 WITH HIS UNIT BOUND FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SAW COMBAT BEGINNING WITH ASSAULT OF LEYTE IN OCTOBER, CONTINUING THROUGH THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGN AND THE RYUKYUS CAMPAIGN, IN WHICH HE WAS WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON JUNE 20, 1945 ON OKINAWA. EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH TWO BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH TWO BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT AS A TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE ON JANUARY 11, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.