Veterans' Memorial Project
John Kenneth Hillemeier
Roodhouse, IL
World War II
Major Hillemeier served with the 12th Signal Company, Philippine Scouts. He died in the sinking of the Oryoku Maru in Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. The ship was carrying Prisoners of War when it was attacked by American planes. The Japanese abandoned ship but left the POWs on board. The next morning the Japanese told them to swim to shore. It was only when the pilots saw the large number of men climbing out of the holds that they stopped the attack. They realized it was a POW ship. His date of death would indicate he made it to shore but died of wounds from the attack. He is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
-taken from Web site above and University records
Further information: https://www.abmc.gov
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