World War II Honoree

Van W. Hill

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Craighead County, Arkansas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY JULY 10, 1942 AT LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE 1ST BATTALION, 128TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 32ND INFANTRY ‘RED ARROW’ DIVISION, U.S. 6TH ARMY. HE BECAME A COMBAT CASUALTY JANUARY 28, 1944 WHILE FIGHTING AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES DURING THE BATTLE OF SAIDOR NEAR THE VILLAGE OF TETERI, NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN. REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1946 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, BRONZE STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS WAS AWARDED TO THE SOLDIER FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM, EXTREME GALLANTRY AND RISK OF LIFE IN ACTUAL COMBAT WITH AN ARMED ENEMY FORCE. THE BRONZE STAR WAS AWARDED FOR BRAVERY, ACT OF MERIT AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE.