World War II Honoree

Arthur John Hilbrich

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hammond, Indiana

Honored By

Jack R. Hilbrich

Relationship

Brother

PETTY OFFICER; SERVED IN NAVY FROM 1942 UNTIL 1945. TOOK HIS BASIC SEAMANSHIP TRAINING AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION IN GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS. ATTENDED TORPEDO SCHOOL AT NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND. AS A TORPEDOMAN, HE HAD VOLUNTEERED FOR SUBMARINE DUTY, BUT WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS HORNET AND THEN REASSIGNED TO PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AS AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER. HE HAD THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF CONTROLLING THE LANDING OF AN AIRCRAFT THAT CARRIED FIRST LADY, MRS. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.