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Hilton J. Eckerson, 55;21 - year Air Force veteranMIDDLETOWN-*The ‘‘OldSarge,” Hilton J. Eckerson, 55, of 299 Highland Ave., Middletown, whose voice was heard many times on Orange County Speaks, died Tuesday at Horton Memorial Hospital.MU’. Eckerson, bora Feb. 9,1918, in New Hampton, to Elmer and Margaret DeFries Eckerson, was known as an outstanding soldier, having served 21 years with the U.S. Air Force.He enlisted at Newburgh In April of 1937. was trained at Mitchell Field, Long Island, and re-enlisted in 1939. He retired in 1961 as atechnical sergeantMr. Eckerson served in Saudi, Arabia; Hawaii; the South Pacific; Australia; New Guinea; the Netherlands JEast Indies and held many citations and decorations such as the Presidential unit citation for battles in Port Moresby, New Guinea; three battle stars for the Bismark Archipelago campaign, the New Guinea campaign and the Battle of Papua. In addition, he held the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. World War II Victory Medal, a Distinguished Unit Citation. Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal and Air Crew Member Wings.On April 8,1945, he was married to the former Shirley F. DeGroat of Middletown. Mr. Eckerson was a member of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Middletown and the Middletown VFW PostSurviving are his widow; two daughters, Judy and Lori and two sons. Dennis and James, all ofMiddletown; four brothers, HenryHilton J. Eckersonof Goshen, William .♦John andHoward, all of Middletown; two sisters, Mrs. Lucille Slocum of Middletown and Mrs. Mae Flaherty of Rosedale, L.I.; and one granddaughter.Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Middletown. Friends may call at the P. J. Reilly Funeral Home, 33 Railroad Ave., Middletown, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. VFW services will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and prayer services will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, both at the funeral home.
Newspaper Details
The Times Herald Record
Middletown, New York, US
Wed, Oct 24, 1973
Page 51
Full Page
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Anonymous
NY, USA 23 Nov 2021
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