General News: Sgt. Felix Hill -- A Model Soldier
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| Sgt. Felix Hill on the right. |
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| The historic guide and intrepretor seen here, is based on the life story of Sgt. Hill. |
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| Phil Hopp, right, with the intrepretive guide and his sister, Theresa Soldano. |
August 05, 2008
A World War One soldier was remembered on Sunday at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.
Sgt. Felix Hill won medals for courageous action in the fields of battle from the Pacific to Nicaragua and Shanghai. And, when Michael Clark, the historic site manager at the Hall of Honor was looking for someone who exemplified the World War One soldier, he chose Sgt. Hill.
Hill received his Purple Heart at the New Windsor Cantonment in a ceremony held in 1932. He was also an uncle of photographer and Cornwall-on-Hudson resident Phil Hopp.
The New York Chapter of the organization Children of the American Revolution paid for a reproduction of a WWI uniform, which was based on Hill’s stature. Phil Hopp recalls that his uncle was “massive” -- 6’3” and 300 lbs. An employee of the historic site modeled the piece on Sunday, just before Sammy Kaye’s Orchestra started to play.
The uniform – and the military record of Sgt. Hill – will provide the basis for educational programs at the Hall of Honor.
Hopp, who provided the photo of his Uncle Felix in uniform, recalled his military career beginning with his early service in the Coastal artillery of the army in 1908. Hill soon transferred into the Marine Corps, where he served nearly 40 years.
Hill was cited for the Distinguished Service Cross by General Pershing after he was wounded in battle twice while voluntarily delivering much needed ammunition and grenades to his fellow Americans on the front lines. According to Hopp, his uncle was struck down by artillery fire, got up and, while trying to deliver more ammo, was cut down by machine gun fire, which luckily did not kill him but put him out of action.
After his wounds healed, he returned to service and he received service campaign medals for Nicaragua in 1928, service in Shanghai in 1930, and also served in Washington D.C., Hawaii, Guam, England, Panama, France (at Chateau-Therry) and many other areas, Hopp recalled.
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