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Personal info

Full name
HILL, Robert Harold
Date of birth
8 May 1921
Age
23
Place of birth
Canton, Stark County, Ohio
Hometown
Stark County, Ohio

Military service

Service number
15077968
Rank
Corporal
Function
unknown
Unit
A Company,
551st Parachute Infantry Battalion
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
7 January 1945
Place of death
Rochelinval, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
C 8 43

Immediate family

Members
Audrey M. Hill (wife)

More information

Cpl Robert H. Hill enlisted on 20 June 1942 at Fort Hayes, Ohio.

On 7 January 1945, Robert Hill fired on the German machine gun positions with his BAR to cover the withdrawel of what was left of the squad. He was killed during that fight and later was recommended for the Silver Star Medal but General Ridgway interceded and personally signed the endorsement upgrading the award to a Distinguished Service Cross.

Source of information: Carla Mans, NARA, www.wwiimemorial.com, WW2Airborne, Insigne, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men

Photo source: Peter Schouteten