Neal Jacobsen Hillyard

Neal Jacobsen Hillyard was born March 9, 1894 in Ålborg, Denmark to Carl Peter Frederik Lohmann and Jacobine Pedersen Jacobsen. Neal was a veteran of World War I.

History

The early history of Neal is unknown. In 1905, Neal left his family in Denmark and moved to Smithfield, Utah with Ira William and Aleda M. F. Johnson Hillyard, who soon adopted him, and he took their last name.

After his time in the military, Neal returned to Smithfield and married Lucille Duce on Oct 20, 1919. They first moved to Hyde Park, Utah before moving to Richmond.

World War I Service

On April 27, 1918, Neal enlisted in the United States Army. He was sent to Camp Lewis, Washington in the 166th Depot Brigade until he was placed in the 91st Division, 363rd Infantry.2 The 91st Division was created for draftees from western states except California, and for its western ties, was called the Wild West Division, and adopted a fir tree as its shoulder sleeve insignia.1

"In June and July, the division departed for England. In September 1918, the division's first operation was in the St. Mihiel Offensive in France. Serving under the U.S. Army's V Corps, the division, now commanded by Major General William Johnston Jr., fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and successfully helped to destroy the German First Guard Division and continued to smash through three successive enemy lines. Twelve days before the end of World War I, the division, as part of the VII Corps of the French Sixth Army, helped drive the Germans east across the Escaut River in the Battle of the Lys and the Escaut. The division was awarded separate campaign streamers for its active role in the Lorraine, Meuse-Argonne and Ypres-Lys campaigns."1

Neal was discharged on April 25, 1919. 

Member of the City Council (1946 - 1948)

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