John Meredith Hill (1918-1944)

HILL, BARRETT, GARDNER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal June 27, 1944 (page 3)

Memorial Services Held on Tuesday For Lieut. John Hill

Cambridge, June 27--A Memorial Service was held for Lt. (j. g.) John Hill Sunday, June 18, at 2:30, in the Lutheran church with Rev. Jacobson in charge and Dr. Edmundson of Oskaloosa assisting. Ensign Robert Larson of Huxley sang "I Am a Pilgrim" and "The Lord's Prayer." Taps was sounded by Orville Hellekson. A sum of money was given to the Red Cross and the Luther Service Fund in his memory.

The following obituary was read during the services:

"John Meredith Hill, son of Albert and Mathilda Hill, was born at Cambridge, Iowa, on January 25, 1918. He was baptized into Christ as a child on March 31st, of the same year and confirmed in his baptismal covenant with God on December 11, 1932.

"He graduated from Cambridge High School and received his college training at Parsons College at Fairfield, Iowa.

On July 16th, 1941, four months before Pearl Harbor, he answered the call of his country and volunteered as a member of the U. S. Naval Air Corps in which he became a bombing plane pilot and at the time of his passing had attained the rank of Lieutenant (j. g.)

"On June 15, 1943, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Jean Barrett at Key West, Florida. To them one child was born, John Meredith, Jr.

"On Nov. 30, 1943 he gave his life for his country while doing his duty, patrolling the French Mediterranean coast. He and 7 men of his crew were on board when their plane plunged into the Atlantic.

"He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife and son, his mother, and four brothers, Leslie of Cambridge, Homer of Gilman, Wayne, Lt (j. g.) in the U. S. Navy, and Wendell of the U. S. Army, serving as a First Lieutenant on the island of Sardinia, and one sister, Mrs. Sarah Gardner of Cambridge. His father and one brother, Roger, preceded him in death.

"We have met here today to pay tribute to his memory. For him we place the first gold star in our service flag. Blessed among us be his memory."