World War II Honoree

Donald M. Hilt

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Greenfield, Indiana

Honored By

Carolyn Hilt

Relationship

Wife

COXSWAIN 3RD CLASS, ENLISTED AT INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, WITH BOOT TRAINING AT U.S. NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS. AFTER SMALL LANDING CRAFT ASSAULT TRAINING AT FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, WAS ASSIGNED OVERSEAS TO SAIPAN, THE MARIANA ISLANDS, SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. WHILE SERVING IN THE EDUCATION OFFICE, HELPED CREATE THE SAIPAN UNIVERSITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF TEACHING THE GRADUATION EQUIVALENCY DEGREE (GED) TO SERVICEMEN STATIONED THERE. AFTER TEACHING CLASSES UNTIL WAR'S END WAS REASSIGNED TO THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS HORNET CV-12, FOR RETURN TO SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, AND SEPARATION FROM THE SERVICE.