Roy C. Hill was born in Oklahoma sometime in 1915 or 1916. He enlisted in Sacramento on April 9, 1941 at about age 25. His residence at that time is listed as San Joaquin, California. Internet sources list SSGT Hill as either in the 415th Infantry Regiment or the 329th Medical Battalion, and his date of death as either October 29 or 30. No doubt he was a medic. His Silver Star citation as written in the 104th GO #20 states " SSGT Roy Hill, Medical Detachment, left his covered position on 30 October to give aid to the wounded of his company and other units as well, losing his life during the action." SSGT Hill was killed in action just 3 days after the Division launched its first attack as described below.
Elements of the 104th Division, including the 415th, sailed on the George Washington directly to Cherbourg, France leaving August 27, 1944 and arriving September 7, 1944. On October 15, 1944, they entrained in 40&8's at La Haye-du-Puits, Normandy, heading for the Belgian border. They reached Vilvoorde, Belgium on October 18, 1944.
Joining the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, the division moved into defensive positions in the vicinity of Wuestwezel, Belgium on 23 October 1944. Three days later, it went on the offensive, taking Zundert, gaining control of the Breda-Roosendaal Road and overrunning Vaart Canal defenses. Leur and Etten fell as the division advanced to the Mark River, arriving there by 31 October. A coordinated attack over the Mark River at Standaarduiten on 2 November established a bridgehead and the rest of the division crossed the river. Zevenbergen was captured and the Maas River was reached on 5 November. While the bulk of the division moved near Aachen, Germany, elements remained to secure Moerdijk until 7 November, when they were relieved. During this time, the division was reassigned to VII Corps of the First United States Army, also part of the Twelfth Army Group.
SSGT Hill's group includes his officially engraved slot brooch posthumous Purple Heart and Silver Star. A picture of his grave marker in Belgium has been found on the internet. It reads:
ROY C.HILL
SSGT 415 INF 104 DIV
CALIFORNIA OCT 29 1944
Spring 2022 sold to a collector.
