World War II Honoree

Joseph F. Hill

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Milford, Ohio

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY SEPTEMBER 14, 1943 AT CINCINNATI, OHIO. SERVED AS A DEMOLITIONIST IN THE EUROPEAN THEATERS OF OPERATION ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. ARMY, REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS, 2ND BATTALION, 502ND PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1944 ALONG WITH SIX OTHER DEMOLITIONISTS DURING A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW TO DISARM A GERMAN RIEGEL ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMINE. SEVERAL MINES HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF THE DEMONSTRATION AND ONE EXPLODED WHILE BEING DISARMED, DENOTING ALL OF THE MINES. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON AN ISLAND, NEAR DODEWAARD, HOLLAND DURING THE INVASION OF HOLLAND, OPERATION MARKET GARDEN. HE WAS BURIED AT THE NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY, MARGRATEN, NETHERLANDS. LATER HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS HOMETOWN, MILFORD, OHIO APRIL 30, 2001 FOR BURIAL, WITH INTERMENT IN THE GRACELAND MEMORIAL GARDENS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL.