Gerald Sylvester Hill

Yankton, SD

1934, 1791, Custer, F-12,

Gerald Sylvester Hill was born January 16, 1915 and was killed in action on Iwo Jima during WWII March 17, 1945 (aged 30). He is buried Yankton City Cemetery, Yankton, South Dakota.

Gerald’s Father farmed near Mission Hill. To cross the Meridian Bridge required a toll, and Gavins Point Dam did not exist. The most popular business was Gurney's Seed and Nursery.

Gerald had two sisters and one brother, and their parents were Gustav and Ragna (Geraldson) Hill. He married Vione Larson of Irene on New Year's Eve 1938 in Denver, Colorado, and they had two daughters. He worked for the Rio Grande Railroad until he entered the service in June of 1944. He reported for Navy duty and was transferred into the Marines.

On March 3, 1945 (D-Day +12) at Iwo Jima, there were several, different battles raging on. The Japanese had constructed three airstrips. Gerald Hill's 2nd Battalion of the 9th Regiment had reached the south side of Airfield #3 a couple of days earlier.

According to a letter from Gerald's friend, on March 2 they dug a foxhole on the south side of Airfield #3. Had they stood up, they may have seen the coastline which was only 1300 yards away. The next morning his battalion advanced to the high ground to take the remainder of the Airfield and to head northeast. Gerald didn’t make it. He didn’t see the fruits of his labor. The next day, a B-29, the Dina Might made a rocky, emergency landing on a nearby airfield. Baily proudly saw the plane land. The airmen kissed the ground to demonstrate their happiness. Gerald died of his wounds on March 17,1945 and is buried in the City of Yankton Cemetery.

Information provided by David Hosmer

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