Iowa State Memorial Union

Hilbert Siegel - Staff Sergeant

Rank: Staff Sergeant
Date Of Birth: : Jan 15, 1921
Date Of Death: Jun 22, 1944
War / Conflict: World War II
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Gold Star Hall - Wall Location: West Wall (by Entrance Door)

Biography

Staff Sergeant Hilbert Steindler Siegel was born to Morris Siegel and Sadie Heindler in Butte, Montana, sometime in 1920. Later, he called Cedar Rapids, Iowa his home. 

Hilbert entered the service October 1940 in Des Moines, Iowa. He served as a Radio Communications specialist, having completing a year of service in the Virgin Islands. He taught radio and combat operations at New River, North Carolina. He received further instruction as a radio technician at Omaha, Nebraska.

Hilbert declined another teaching post so he could enter combat duty. He was sent to the Pacific to serve with the 4th Marine Division, which received a Presidential Citation for their performance in combat during the seizure of Saipan and the Tinian Islands, June 15 to August 1, 1944.


Hilbert Siegel enlisted in the Marine Corps 11 October, 1940 from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Completed recruit training in the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, MCB San Diego, CA. 7 December, 1940 assigned to HQ Company, Base Signal Battalion, MCB San Diego. Trained and Designated a radio teletype operator.

During December,1941 assigned to HQ Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station, St Thomas, Virgin Islands. January, 1942 promoted to Private First Class. June, 1942 promoted to Corporal. December, 1942 promoted to Sergeant.

December 1942 assigned as an instructor in Radio Operator Course in HQ Company, Signal Battalion, Training Center, MCB Camp Lejuene, NC. 4 October, 1943 promoted to Staff Sergeant.

27 October, 1943 assigned to Marine Training Detachment, Radio Material, South 2205 Farman Street, Omaha, Nebraska.
During April, 1944 assigned to the 50th Replacement Battalion, MCB Camp Elliott, CA.

During March, 1944 embarked Naval Vessel at San Diego for movement overseas. 3 April, 1944 arrived Pearl Harbor assigned to HQ Company, Replacement Battalion, Camp Catlin, Oahu. 21 April, 1944 assigned to 1st Provisional Rocket Detachment, 5th Amphibious Corps (VAC) Camp Maui. Rocket Detachement was attached to the 4th Marine Division for the Saipan Operation.

12 May, 1943 embarked USS La Salle (AP-102) for landing rehearsals. 20-29 May, 1944 in Pearl Harbor. 8-11 June, 1944 at Eniwetok, Marshalls. 15 June, 1944 landed on Saipan D-Day and participated in combat operations until Killed in Action 22 June, 1944.

He died in Saipan June 20, 1944. His mother wrote to the Alumni Association after his death:

"I saw his buddies in the naval hospital in San Diego, Cal.

Floyd Casey gave me the actual details. (He) said four of the boys volunteered to get the lines intact for communication to the front and the boys wer working from a jeep when there hit by Japanese mortars - jeep skidded, all were thrown and only Hilbert (was) killed: others hurt badly. So many of his superior officers wrote fine letters but the ones I prize more are from his buddies.

Hilbert died doing his doing for which he never wanted any praise. In fact, he resented it very much when anyone give him any undue attention when he was home on a furlough..."

Siegel was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Next of Kin: Mother Mrs Sadie S Siegel, 1632 B Avenue North East, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Saipan.

1948 returned to US for permanent burial in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Glendale, California.

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