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(courtesy of Janet Elliott Douglas)
Grave marker for O.B. Hill
in the Walnut Hill Cemetery,
Fort Branch, (Gibson County),
Indiana Note the
inscription error stating he was in the Army "Air Forces" rather than
"Airborne" |
If one
is seeking greatness in man, it’s not necessary to search the annals of
history, the great seats of government, important sports arenas, or the
cultural centers of the world. Although greatness is there, one can
remain close to home and find it right here in this room. There are those
among us who touch our lives and provide us with excitement, optimism,
fulfillment and inspiration. They leave a lasting impact, directing our
lives in positive ways. Such a person was O.B. Hill. His clear vision,
positive energy flow, untiring effort, and inveterate generosity is
responsible for our being here today at this 28th annual
reunion of our great association.
It all began in 1974,
during the 30th anniversary of D-Day. While visiting the grave
site of his company commander, Captain [Gerard A.] Ruddy, O.B. was
inspired to use his boundless energies and other personal resources to get
troopers of the 508th together again. That he did, in his
usual productive style. The idea became a historic reality the following
year, 75, when a surprising 133 veterans and family from coast to coast
gathered on Independence Day weekend at the Marriott O’Hare in Chicago.
It was there that the Association was formed with O.B. elected as first
President.
The
following year, as the roster grew, the Association, again, met at the same
place and O.B. was named Permanent Chairman. Through his persuasive
leadership and persistent nurturing, successful reunions continued
annually, with the roster number of members and associate members topping
at one thousand, four hundred and fifteen in 1995.
O.B.’s wit and colorful sense of humor and his concern tot the welfare of
all Association members made the reunions, often with foreign and other
airborne guests, fun and interesting. You recall that he arranged reunion
side trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and other places.
As
the Association’s respected European Ambassador, O.B. arranged several
trips abroad for us and helped to establish numerous World War II
monuments here and overseas honoring the Regiment. He seemed to
personally know half of the people in Normandy and practically all of them
knew of him. In fact, they named a village street and connecting plaza in
his honor during D-Day ceremonies in 1998. He later stated that they did
so he wouldn’t get lost on his next visit there. To personalize airborne
history, it was good to see O.B. participating in D-Day TV documentaries
on the History station. In his honor and in appreciation for his devotion
to the Association, the Company O.B. Hill Program that you witnessed at
the Memorial Breakfast was established during the Atlanta reunion in 1994,
with certificates awarded the following year in Cody, Wyoming. During
those years O.B. often had to exercise courage and spunk with the Board of
Directors ad, sometimes with the membership, to promote the interests of
the Association.
Here
are a few facts on O.B.’s life:
He
was born in Fort Branch, Indiana on October 8, 1921 and, wearing the usual
long white gown, was christened “Owen”. I don’t know what the “B”
represents … probably a family secret. Word has it that as a baby, O.B.
often jumped out of his crib, always landing softly on his feet or maybe
on his behind. Word has it that, as a lad, O.B. would jump off of high
places, including the second story porch, always landing softly on his
feet. Later, as a youth, he didn’t jump but literally – fell in love, and
landed softly into his marriage with Margaret on October 21, 1940. They
have two children, pre-war Linda (born on August 12, 1941). I’m sure that
a picture of Margaret and Linda adorned the inside of O.B.’s army helmet
in combat. Joe was post-war (born on September 14, 1948). I am informed
that O.B. was a superb husband and father and provided for his family in
every possible way, as he provided for his 508th family.
After Pearl Harbor, with his love for excitement and adventure, O.B.
volunteered for the paratroops and after basic training at Camp Walters,
Texas was sent to the Jump School at Fort Benning. Decades later, as a
recognized airborne leader, O.B. was honored during the 1998 STATIC LINE
Airborne Awards Festival as the AIRBORNE MAN OF THE YEAR. There he was
privileged to give the graduation address to the troopers on April 23. As
a trainee, little did he dream that his airborne stature would some day
reach that distinguished point. |
In
his address to the intrepid graduates, he alluded to his own training in
September of 1942. He recalled that his visiting father, a coal miner,
noted that the troopers stood out from the rest of the soldiers (quote)
“Like jewels in a pile of ordinary rocks – (nice simile) -- like jewels in
a pile of ordinary rocks – with a different attitude and classy spirit.”
That attitude and spirit certainly exemplifies O.B.’s passion for lie and
his vigilant ideals of patriotism and duty.
When
the First Battalion of the 508th completed Jump School, O.B. was
later promoted to Sergeant as the Messenger Center Chief.
After the Normandy jump, O.B. was wounded on June 13 and after a hospital
stay, was reunited with his Company in Sissone, France in early December
in time for the Regiment’s third jump. This time from the back of
semi-trucks in Belgium. In January 25, 1945 he was again wounded. (The
Krauts were determined to get him.) After more hospital treatment, he was
returned stateside in August and was discharged in December.
O.B.
returned to his family in Indiana and earned a degree in accounting and
business from the University of Evansville. Along with his keen business
sense, few know that O.B. was also a scholar of English and literature.
Would you believe that O.B.’s first professional position was with the
Internal Revenue Service as an agent? After two years of scaring the hell
out of taxpayers, he went to work for Hughes Aircraft in California.
After a serious heart attack in 1986, he officially retired to reside in
Cathedral City, where he and Margaret continued their unrelenting work
with the Association, including much background work for this reunion.
After learning of O.B.’s calling on June 10, I was meditating on O.B.’s
human compassion (he made the least essential of us feel important), his
joy of life, and his lobe and concern for the 508th family.
During that meditation, I experienced a mysterious vision, elevating me
into some sort of metaphysical plane --- observing what was going on at
Heaven’s Gate. You know, with about 15 hundred World War II veterans
showing up each day, St. Peter has a tremendous logistical problem on his
hands processing all of those souls. In order to move things along in
good order, I observed that St. Peter ordered St. Michael, the patron of
paratroopers, to separate the troopers from the rest of the veterans, and,
because they suffered enough at Jump School and combat to give them a
quick pass through the Golden Gate. St. Michael did just that, but to be
fair to the other veterans, he thought it right to give each trooper a
quick and easy entrance test. The first trooper in line (a 505’er) was
asked to spell he word “God”. – ‘g – u – d’ – “Close enough, you’re in.”
About that time a dignified figure of fine Spanish bearing and authority
stepped from the paradise side of the gate to check out the new crop of
recruits. He spotted OB. at the head of the line and with a twinkle in
his eye and a mischievous smile walked over to St. Michael and pointing to
O.B. whispered something in his ear. St. Michael nodded and beckoned O.B.
forward. O.B. immediately stepped forward and without waiting for the
question, eagerly recited “Capital G – o – d” and stepped toward the
crossing line. St. Michael’s strong arm guarded the gate with a “Hold it,
buddy, the Colonel wants you to spell NEBUCHADNEZZAR.”
Yes,
as we celebrate O.B.’s life, we can laugh together, remembering the many
good times … and we cry together, mourning our loss. But more important
we rejoice and thank God that O.B. not only touched our lives, but
embraced us with his kindness, generous spirit, and good will. He made us
better people and made our lives more enjoyable. O.B. was a great man.
O.B.
ended all of his STATIC LINE column messages with this closing and, on
behalf of O.B., it is my privilege to offer you all,
“BEST AIRBORNE WISHES AND SOFT LANDINGS ALWAYS.”
Margaret, Linda and Joe, we thank you for sharing O.B.’s life with us.
(Delivered by Norb Studelska, Laughlin, NV, August 6, 2002)
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