World War II Honoree

Coyle Hillyard

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Berkeley, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Lieutenant. He was inducted into the United States Navy from California. Upon the completion of his training, he was transferred to the USS Bismarck Sea Escort Aircraft Carrier, CVE-95 for duty. On February 16, 1945 the Carrier and her shipmates, along with an armada of U.S. Battleships, Destroyers, Cruisers and other Warships, arrived offshore of Iwo Jima in support of the impending invasion (Battle Dates: February 19-March 26, 1945) Code Name: Operation Detachment. The Seagoing Airbase had just recovered her aircraft from a strike when a swarm of Imperial Japanese planes appeared. The carrier was struck by two Kamikazes in quick succession, setting the vessel on fire in the evening of 21 February. After the fire fighting salt water distribution system was destroyed, the ships’ Captain ordered Bismarck Sea abandoned. Reported missing in action, lost at sea on the day of the attack. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at the Honolulu National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, ‘Punchbowl’ Hawaii. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.