S/Sgt Hilmar E. Ebert

U.S. Army 1942 - 1945

Good Conduct
Medal		 Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal WII Victory
Medal

Hilmar was inducted into the Army on 10 December 1941 at Hereford, Texas.  He received basic training at Camp Callan, San Diego, California and then attended the Army's Cook and Mess Sergeant course at the Replacement Training Center, Camp Callan.  Hilmar also spent time at Camp Davis, North Carolina and Indian Gap, Pennsylvania before shipping overseas on the Queen Mary.

Hilmar landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France on June 23, 1944 and saw action with the 486th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 3rd Armored Division; General Patton's "Spearhead Division".  His unit moved across France, Belgium and Germany fighting in five campaigns earning 5 bronze battle stars.  He participated in some of the fierciest fighting of the European campaign, including the Battle of the Bulge. The 3rd Armored Division had advanced to Dessau, Germany when the war ended on May 8, 1945.

Due to his ability to speak German, Hilmar served as unofficial interpreter for his unit.  He gained much useful information for his unit from captured German soldiers.  He also aided in controlling and communicating with the German civilians in the towns that were captured.

Hilmar attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal with one clasp, Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal with 5 bronze stars, World War II Victory Medal and M1 Carbine Marksman medal.  He was seperated from the Army at Indian Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania on September 22, 1945.

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