Harry W. Hill

Harry Wilbur Hill (7 April 1890 – July 19, 1971) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy during World War II.

Biography Hill was born in Oakland, California on 7 April 1890. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1907 won an Annapolis by competitive examination, graduating in June 1911. While attending the Academy Hill played on the basketball and lacrosse teams. was attached to the War Plans Division until January 1942.

World War II Ordered to sea, Hill assumed command of the heavy cruiser , which operated for several months on convoy duty with the British Home Fleet to the North Russian port of Murmansk. Hill escorted a convoy that was reported on by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. In response to 4th of July greetings from the British Convoy Commander, from the bridge of the British cruiser , "Many happy returns of the day. The United States is the only country with a known birthday", Hill replied "Thank you. I think England should celebrate Mother's Day."

Detached from command of Wichita on 28 September 1942, he reported as Commander Battleship Division Four, , flagship, serving a year in the South Pacific. He was also commander of a task force, which was the first to comprise battleships and escort carriers.

In September 1943 he became Commander Amphibious Group Two, Fifth Amphibious Force, and in that capacity participated in the capture of Tarawa, and later in operations against the Gilberts, Marshalls, Marianas, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. He relieved the Commander Fifth Amphibious Force at Okinawa in April 1945, and commanded the amphibious and support operations of that force until that island was secured at the end of June.

Post-war At the close of the war in August 1945, he commanded the Amphibious Force which landed the Sixth Army in Southwestern Japan for occupation duty. On 1 November 1945 he assumed duty as Commandant Army-Navy Staff College,

and in June 1946 Vice Admiral Hill established and served as Commandant of the National War College, the highest-level educational institution of the Armed Forces and the State Department. In September 1949 he reported as Chairman of the General Board, Navy Department, and on 28 April 1950 became Superintendent of the Naval Academy and Commandant, Severn River Naval Command. He continued to serve as such after his retirement on 1 May 1952, until August 1952.

Admiral Hill continued to serve on active duty from 21 October 1952 until 21 May 1954 as Governor of the Naval Home, Philadelphia.

Admiral Harry Wilbur Hill died of cancer in Annapolis, Maryland on July 19, 1971.

Namesake In 1978, the destroyer was named in his honor.