Edward C. Hill Jr.

Rank: Aviation Cadet, U.S. Army Air Forces

Serial: 13054957

Unit: 89th Base Unit

Entered service from: New Jersey

Died: December 28, 1942

Buried at: Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Aviation Cadet Edward C. Hill Jr. was born on January 6, 1922, the only child of Howard and Mrs. Hill of 517 West Graisbury Avenue, Audubon, New Jersey. His father was a foreman employed by RCA. He was a graduate of Audubon High School, where he was popular as a baseball pitcher. He entered the Army Air Forces in April of 1942 and trained at Santa Ana, Visalia, and Merced in California before being sent to Luke Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

Cadet Hill was in the final weeks of his training when he disappeared on a solo training flight on December 28, 1942, flying a P-38 Lightning out of Williams Field near Phoenix. He had expected to receive his wings and his commission as a lieutenant the following Monday—his 21st birthday was just days away, on January 6. He was planning to return home on furlough. An extensive search was conducted and then abandoned. His body was recovered and he was buried at Locustwood Memorial Park in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Edward C. Hill Lost on Solo Flight Was to Get Wings Monday.

Edward C. Hill, 21, aviation cadet, has been reported missing while in a routine training flight over Arizona, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hill of 517 West Graisbury Avenue, Audubon.

Search for the youth, who was expected to graduate next Monday and receive a commission as a lieutenant, has been abandoned, the family was notified. He was reported flying solo in a P-38 Lightning plane. A telegram from Colonel Hoyt, commander of Luke Field, Phoenix, Ariz., informed the family Tuesday night that the youth was missing and that an extensive search was being made.

Today, the boy’s mother said she received two Christmas gifts from Edward, followed by another telegram from Colonel Hoyt that the search had been abandoned.

Mrs. Hill said her son, in recent letters, informed her that he expected to be given a furlough following graduation next Monday and anticipated being home for the first time since he entered the service last April. “This is sad news,” the mother said, “but we won’t give up hope that he’ll be found.”

Edward is the only child of the Hills. His father is a foreman employed by the RCA. He graduated from Audubon High School where he was popular as a baseball pitcher. Edward was sent to California, where he trained and studied at Santa Ana, Visalia, and Merced. Two months ago he was sent to Luke Field. Two weeks ago he entered the final stages of his training and was flying out of Williams Field, near Phoenix.