*HILL, EDWIN JOSEPH
Rank and organization: Chief Boatswain, U.S.
Navy. Born: 4 October 1894, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania.
Citation:
For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and
disregard of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese
forces on 7 December 1941. During the height of the strafing and bombing, Chief Boatswain
Hill led his men of the linehandling details of the U.S.S. Nevada to the quays, cast off
the lines and swam back to his ship. Later, while on the forecastle, attempting to let go
the anchors, he was blown overboard and killed by the explosion of several bombs.
