Plaque for Sergeant Robert H Hill:
On Saterday July 10th, a plaque was unveiled for Sergeant Robert H. Hill of the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion.
The 551 PIB fought during the battle of the bulge at villages in the 82nd Airborne Division sector. The battalion, who had
over 800 men initially, was left with just under 250 men, when they were ordered to attack the village Rochelinval on January
7th, 1945. The attack took place over open field without any fire support from artillery or mortars. Germans were well dug in at
Rochelinval. The battalion started moving, and Sgt. Robert H. Hill led his platoon towards Rochelinval. The German fire was so intense that many
men were dead or wounded before they reached the town. Sgt. Hill picked up a BAR covering his buddies so they could get out of the murdering
fire. Sgt. Robert H Hill was killed in the process. For his actions at Rochelinval, Sgt. Hill received the Distinguised Service Cross, the 2nd highest
American medal you can earn. Lieutenant-Colonel Wood Joerg is also depicted on the monument at Rochelinval, but we can say that this
monument isn’t there only for these two men, but for the entire battalion. They fought hard during the battles in the Ardennes, leaving a battalion
with a 94% casualty rate. Please remember the brave men of the 551st PIB and all other WWII veterans who sometimes paid the ultimate price
for our freedom.
The ceremony was attended by many veterans who fought in the Ardennes, including two remaining members of the 551 Parachute Infantry
Battalion: Joe Chiccinelli and Doug Dillard, both Company A, 551 PIB.
On Saterday July 10th, a plaque was unveiled for Sergeant Robert H. Hill of the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion.
The 551 PIB fought during the battle of the bulge at villages in the 82nd Airborne Division sector. The battalion, who had
over 800 men initially, was left with just under 250 men, when they were ordered to attack the village Rochelinval on January
7th, 1945. The attack took place over open field without any fire support from artillery or mortars. Germans were well dug in at
Rochelinval. The battalion started moving, and Sgt. Robert H. Hill led his platoon towards Rochelinval. The German fire was so intense that many
men were dead or wounded before they reached the town. Sgt. Hill picked up a BAR covering his buddies so they could get out of the murdering
fire. Sgt. Robert H Hill was killed in the process. For his actions at Rochelinval, Sgt. Hill received the Distinguised Service Cross, the 2nd highest
American medal you can earn. Lieutenant-
with a 94% casualty rate. Please remember the brave men of the 551st PIB and all other WWII veterans who sometimes paid the ultimate price
for our freedom.
The ceremony was attended by many veterans who fought in the Ardennes, including two remaining members of the 551 Parachute Infantry
Battalion: Joe Chiccinelli and Doug Dillard, both Company A, 551 PIB.