Avoca Soldier is Killed in Action
The war department announced Thursday that Pfc. Dean H.(sic A.) Hiley of Avoca has been killed in action [Jan. 21] in the Mediterranean area.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Thursday, March 09, 1944, Page 3
Silver Star to Avoca Soldier
WITH THE FIFTH ARMY, ITALY – Pfc. Dean A. Hiley of Avoca, Ia., has been awarded the Silver Star posthumously, the army’s third highest battle award, for gallantry in action along the Rapido river in Italy.
Son of Mrs. Bertha Hiley, Pfc. Hiley was a member of a 36th “Texas” division infantry unit. The regiment with which he served led recent 5th army attempts to cross the river and attack strong German forces holding the well fortified Gustav line there. The attack was initiated under heavy enemy artillery, mortar and machinegun fire which continued throughout the assault.
With complete disregard for his own safety, Pfc. Hiley advanced in the face of overwhelming fire, crossed the river with comrades of the 36th and continued inland toward his unit’s objective. While moving up he was killed by enemy fire.
“His magnificent courage and devotion to duty in the face of vastly superior odds served as an example and an inspiration to all who witnessed his actions,” stated the citation. “His courage reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.”
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Thursday, April 23, 1944, Page 3
Dean Anderson Hiley was born Feb. 25, 1922 to Wilda Ray and Bertha Anderson Hiley. He died Jan. 21, 1944 and is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy.
Pvt. Hiley served in World War II with the U.S. Army 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division and was KIA in Italy and was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
