Dad was born in Chattanooga, Ten. August 10, 1916. He was the middle child of Margaret and Ernest F. Hill. Brother to Helen and Robert Hill. Half brother to Jack Mason. Husband to Willie Mae Hill (Benson ). Father to Betty L, born December, 1935, and Bobbie J., born March, 1938.

The family moved to Harriman, Tenn. There he met and married Mom, 1935. Moved to Ohio in 1938. In 1943, Mom and Dad both worked at Rights Powder Plant. Entering The Army in 1943, He took his training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and Ft. Campbell, Ky. KIA October 22, 1944 Dodewaard, Holland.

I was 6 and Betty was 9 years old when Daddy was killed. I remember the telegram came to my grandparents Home. Everyone was crying. We were told Daddy was KIA.

Mom remarried 6 months after Dad's death. The marriage was annulled 9 months after that. My grandparents and Mom never got along after she remarried. Mom was given her name, the insurance money, and next of kin back after the annullment. But someone forgot to tell the Army.

In 1948, The War Department sent notice to my grandparents to make the decision as to where they wanted Dad buried. They chose overseas. When I was 21 yrs. old, I started trying to find the reason why he was not brought home. I knew there was a mistake made. I wrote The Army. All I got was Dad's records. And told the descion was made. They were sorry.

I continued to write letters to Congressmen, Senators, The Army, and The President. I did this for 42 years. In October 2,000, I was in church. My Pastor came to me and took my hand, leading me to the Alter. There she gave me a prophecy. "God" was bringing my Dad, home. The night I received the prophecy, something touched my sole. I knew Daddy was coming home. God began putting me in contact with the right people. Then he started waking me in the guiet hours of the mornings. Showing me the papers I needed from Dad's records. "God" had given me a plan, and the right papers I needed.

I sent all papers to The Department of the Army. I got a call saying they could see where there were questions. All papers were sent to JAG. Now the waiting begain. In January, I was awakened again. This time "God" Said, "Daddy would be home April 28th."

Durning this time, Channel 9 News in Cincinnati contacted me. They had heard of my long years of trying to bring Daddy home. They did 5 or 6 stories on television from December 2,000 until Daddy's Memorial Services, April 30, 2,001. My husband, Bill had been with me during all the years of trying. He was my rock. We stood togather. He took me on a little trip to ease the waiting. It was my Birthday. We returned home on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday April 4th, at 8:10 a.m., I received a phone call from The Department of The Army. I will never forget the words. They had found the mistake.

"We are bringing home your Dad." After Praising "God", crying, screaming, I setteled down. I was told they had signed all papers on March 30, 2,001. MY BIRTHDAY! Another beautiful gift from "GOD." All arragements were made by the Army. I was told Daddy would be home May 5th or 9th 2,001, I said NO! Daddy, will be home April 28, as God told me he would be. April 27th, 2001, I received a call from The Department of the Army. Daddy, was now in Germany. He would be leaving Germany at 8:40 a.m. on Delta Flight 49, arriving at Greater Cincinnati Airport at 3:10 p.m. April 28, 2,001. Praise God.

The prophecy had been fulfilled. Everything was on time. From the age of 6 years old, we were told Daddy was KIA. Something took hold of my heart and it never stoped hurting. I remember always being with Daddy, either helping him while he worked on things, or getting in the way. He called me "little blue eyes. "

In December, 1943, I received a Christmas Card from Daddy. It said "Little Blue Eyes, Daddy won't be home for Christmas this year. Be a good girl. Daddy loves you." I pray some day Mom will give me my card! From 1948 until April 28, 2001, I had promised Daddy daily, "Someday Daddy, I will bring you home." April 28, 2,001, Daddy arrived. The casket sat before me, draped with The American Flag. The family stood in waiting. As I went to his casket with shaking body and hands, and tear stained glasses, I bent and kissed the Flag and casket. And I wispered "Welcome home, Daddy."

The hurting in my heart stoped. Daddy is home! Dad's outfit, The 502 Regiment, 101st Airborne from Ft. Campbell, Ky., came to Cincinnati, Ohio, to honor a fallen hero. They did a beautiful Memorial Service. Now Daddy is home. Some day I will rest beside him and my husband Bill.

I am at Peace. I am proud to be a child of God, and the daughter of PFC Joseph F. Hill.