World War II Honoree

Joseph Hilpert

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Hopewell, Virginia

Honored By

Bruce Hilpert

Relationship

Son

WORKED IN PORTSMOUTH NAVY YARD AS A WELDER, BUT DESPITE HIS DRAFT-DEFERRED JOB, ENLISTED IN 1944. SERVED IN THE QUARTERMASTER CORPS IN FRANCE AND GERMANY. APPLIED FOR AND COMPLETED OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS) AND WAS COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE INFANTRY. AFTER V-E DAY, HE VOLUNTEERED FOR THE U.S. OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES (OSS) AND RECEIVED ORDERS FOR CHINA. WITH JAPAN'S SURRENDER, HE MUSTERED OUT. HE LATER RE-ENTERED THE ARMY AND SERVED FOR 24 ADDITIONAL YEARS.