William P. T. Hill

Infobox Military Person


name=William P.T. Hill
born=birth date|1895|02|22
died=death date and age|1965|12|06|1895|02|22
placeofbirth=Vinita, Oklahoma
placeofdeath=Bethesda Naval Hospital


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
serviceyears=1917–1955
rank=Major General
commands=Camp Lejeune
unit=Marine Corps Headquarters
awards=Distinguished Service Medal
relations=
laterwork=
Major General William P. T. Hill, USMC (22 February 1895 – 6 December 1965), served as Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps from 1944 to 1955.

Hill was born in Vinta, Oklahoma, and attended Kemper Military School and later graduated from Western Military Academy in Norman, Oklahoma. After his graduation from the University of Oklahoma, he entered active duty as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 12 July 1917. [Official Marine Corps biography]

After attending flight school at the Naval Coastal Air Station in Cape May, New Jersey, he served as one of the USMC's first aviators. In 1918, He served as a pilot with the First Marine Aeronautical Company, flying seaplane patrols in the Azores. ['Now and Then' Marine Corps Gazette, Feb 1964]

In 1920, he was assigned as a member of the Naval Alaskan Coal Commission, where he served as a geologist during the survey of Alaskan coal fields. [Official Marine Corps biography] As a Captain, he commanded a company assigned to the American Legation in Peking, China. While there, he participated in Doctor Roy Chapman Andrews' third expedition to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. ['With Roy Chapman Andrews in Mongolia.' Captain W.P.T. Hill (AQM), USMC. Marine Corps Gazette, Sept 1929]

In 1933, he was posted overseas to Haiti, where he served as the Quartermaster and Paymaster Director for the Garde d'Haiti. [Official Marine Corps biography]

During World War II, he was initially assigned as the liaison officer during the construction of Camp Lejeune, and briefly served as Camp Commander during 1941. For his performance at Camp Lejeune, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1943, he was reassigned to Marine Corps headquarters for duty in the Quartermaster Department, becoming Quartermaster General on 1 February, 1944, a position he held until his retirement in 1955.

W.P.T. Hill Award

The W.P.T. Hill Award was established in 1985 to improve food service operation and recognize the best messes in the Marine Corps. Competitors are judged on areas such as operations, sanitation, taste and quality of food. ['Georgia reserve unit wins food service award' Jan. 15, 2008; By Pfc. Mary A. Staes, Marine Forces Reserve]

ee also

References