Sgt. Jack D. Hilliard        

Mil# 14038073

Enlisted: 4 January 1941, Jacksonville, FL

A. Company 643rd TD BN.

 

 

 

 

Born: 2 Jan 1925    Place: Lakeland, FL

Died: 3 Apr 2014   Place: Phil Campbell, AL

Buried: Edgar Cemetery, AL

 

Wife: Jessie Lou     Married: 31 Aug 1959

 Children: Rick and Tim

 

 

Awards

 

Bronze Star

European African Middle Eastern Service Medal

Battle Stars"Ardennes-Rhineland-Eastern Europe"

 
Jack entered the service on January 4, 1941 at Jacksonville, Florida.  His enlistment record identifies that he was 18 years old when he enlisted although he had really just turned 16 at the time.  He was sent to Fort Jackson, SC for basic training and it would be there that he was assigned to the 608th Field Artillery Battalion until it was converted to the 608th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He moved with the unit to Camp Hood, TX, Fort Leonard Wood, MO., Camp Atterbury, IN, and Camp Gruber, OK.  The 608th was disbanded and the men sent to other units. The now Sgt. Hilliard was transferred to A Company of the 643rd TD Battalion in which he would remain for the rest of the war. Jack would distinguish himself during his time with the unit, receiving a Bronze Star. He was discharged at San Luis Obispo on September 21, 1945.  Jack's gun crew was Cliff Guyette, Gordon Lugten, Frank Dodd and Frank McNulty. A better group of guys could not be found. His tank destroyer was named "Rebel Hellcat". 

 

 

A group of 643rd soldiers. Starting from right are Frank McNulty, Lester King and Frank Dodd with elbow on wall. The rest are unknown

 

Gordon Lugten

 

The crew of the "Rebel Hellcat". L to R are Frank Dodd (Gunner), Gordon Lugten (Assistant Driver), Clifton Guyette (Driver) Frank McNulty (Assistant Driver) and Jack Hilliard (Gun Commander)

Frank Dodd on M18 Tank Destroyer named "Rebel Hellcat"

 

 

Jack Hilliard (left) and Frank Dodd on in front of their M18 named "Rebel Hellcat".

 

 

 

Jonathan Hartman and Clifton Guyette

 

Standing in front are Gordon Lugten on left and Frank Dodd on right. Frank McNulty is sitting on gun barrel.

 

L to R are Gordon Lugten, Jack Hilliard, Frank Dodd

and an unknown soldier

 

Photographs/info received from Rob Haldeman/Jack and Rick Hilliard

 

 

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