Navy Federal Credit Union

Harry Hill graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1911. from 1950 to 1952 he served as the 36th Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. He retired as a U.S. Navy Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 334 (January 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Harry Wilbur Hill, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as group commander of the amphibious forces of the Pacific Fleet and second in command of the Aispan attack force during World War II. Admiral Hill personally supervised the ship-to-shore operations of assault and garrison-force vessels with excellent control. Following the Saipan invasion, he was placed in full command of the Tinian attack force, and skillfully coordinated his units for a furious onslaught which crushed the enemy in a minimum time despite extremely unfavorable weather toward the end of hostilities.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    February 19 – June 21, 1945

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 347 (February 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Harry Wilbur Hill, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of the attack force in the assault and capture of enemy-held Iwo Jima from 19 February to 16 March 1945, and subsequently as Commander, Joint Expeditionary Force, at Okinawa Gunto, 17 May to 21 June 1945. Admiral Hill expertly controlled all phases of the ship-to-shore operations against fierce enemy resistance. During the Iwo campaign, he directed the landing of troops and equipment on the heavily-fortified beachhead, as well as the unloading of garrison troops and shipping. With our forces deployed over a wide area, he faced the most violent opposition experienced in the Pacific area to supervise the over-all unloading operation at Okinawa Gunto and, in addition, coordinated naval gunfire and air support and directed the expeditious assault and seizure of Iheya Shima and Aguni Shima, which served to strengthen our position in Okinawa and permit the release of protective combatant ships for other duties.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    September 19, 1943 – March 12, 1944

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 328 (July 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Harry Wilbur Hill, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States by his brilliant leadership in preparing troops and ships, and formulating plans for the operations against Tarawa, Eniwetok, Apamama and Majuro Atolls. Admiral Hill was in command of naval attack forces prior to and during those operations from 19 September 1943 until 12 March 1944.