THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you Captain Hill for your devotion, skill, leadership, and exemplary courage under fire.

Bill is buried at Acacia Park Cemetery, Northridge, IL, Memorial section, west entrance, 12th row in from the east, 15th column in from the north, back of section.

Bill was a very close friend of mine as he and Ray Barrett as well as myself went through flight school together. We had met with some of his family both in Texas and at Ft Rucker as well. We were like the three musketeers and were together most of the time during flight school To lose a very close friend as Bill was, leaves a very deep pain even after 50 some years that have passed. God Bless Bill, and I will see you some day.

Dear Captain William Ray Hill, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

16 Apr 67: 1-9 Cav made contact vic 8048. 1A2-35 committed with 1-9 Cav. Company C made combat assault north of contact point vic 785495 and pushed south, trapping about 50 VC, they got 21 VC KIA, captured 11, and only had one friendly WIA. However, we did lose one gunship to ground fire, five dead. Two trapped in wreckage; bodies could not be removed until after wreckage was airlifted by Chinook back to LZ Montezuma. (From: Dave Butters' journal) (Crew of the downed aircraft included CAPT William R. Hill (KIA), WO1 James W. Godfrey (KIA), SP4 Johnny W. Smith (KIA), and CAPT Vandiver L. Childs (KIA); passenger was CAPT Karl E. Shenep (KIA). [Taken from vhpa.org]