World War II Honoree

George 'Shorty' Hild

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Hastings, Minnesota

Honored By

Scott Tronnier

Relationship

Grand nephew

MOBILIZED WITH THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD, THE 216TH COASTAL ARTILLERY, JANUARY 16, 1941. VOLUNTEERED FOR THE 1ST SPECIAL SERVICES FORCE, LATER KNOWN AS THE 'DEVIL'S BRIGADE', WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 3RD REGIMENT. SERVED WITH THEM FROM THEIR INITIAL TRAINING IN HELENA, MONTANA UNTIL HE WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION NEAR ROME, ITALY IN JUNE 1944. CONVALESCED AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA AND FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN PRIOR TO DISCHARGE.