Hills Body Enroute Home - May 17, 1951

HILLS, KNOLL

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 10/15/2007 at 07:25:31

The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, Thursday, May 17, 1951, page 1

Hills Body Enroute Home

The body of Pfc. Chester E. Hills, 18, the first Burlington soldier killed in action in the Korean War is enroute to Burlington for burial.

Hills, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Hills, Racine ave, Lenox Park, died July 16 and was buried under battle conditions at Taejon where the famous General Dean, his commander in the 24th infantry disappeared.

The Burlington soldier, a member of the 19th infantry regiment, one of the first outfits sent to Korea late in June, enlisted on his 17th birthday, July 29, 1948, and was killed 13 days before becoming 19. His parents have received his purple heart which was awarded posthumously.

Hills was home on furlough during Christmas of 1949 and then was sent to Japan where he worked in a finance office. A native of Burlington, the youth was born in 1931, and was graduated from Horace Mann junior high school. Before entering service he worked for Frudeger Bros. bakery. He reportedly had planned to make the army his career.

The young infantryman was a member of St. John’s Catholic church.

Surviving are his parents, 2 brothers, Raymond J. and Richard L. Hills, both of Burlington; a sister, Sandra Lee at home; and grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. John Knoll, Burlington.

Hills body is being sent from Japan where final indentification was made. It will be brought to Burnett Wallen funeral home. Burial will be Memorial Park cemetery.