Lieutenant Hilary S. Blackwell joined the Army Air Corp on October 8, 1941. He volunteered before the United States entered the war that had been devastating England and Europe for so long. The Army Air Corp discovered he had an exceptional aptitude for navigation. Hilary earned his navigator wings and joined the prestigious ranks of Army Airmen as a Second Lieutenant. His first mission was to serve as navigator on board one of the Army's most effective, state of the art weapons - the B25 "Mitchell" bomber.

 Second Lieutenant Blackwell and his sister, Eileen, attended Hollywood Military Academy. The Academy was run by their father, "The Major" Blackwell. Hollywood Military Academy was of local renown and was able to give both of the young people a background that Lieutenant Blackwell found very useful after joining the Army Air Corp. The military life must have been second nature to Hilary.

Columbia Army Air Base in Columbia, South Carolina, was his first station after completing training. The Air Base was the last stateside stop for B-25 pilots. Their next assignment would be the European or Pacific theaters. Lieutenant Blackwell served at the Columbia Army Air Base for only one week prior to the plane crash.

Lieutenant Blackwell, unknown to his family, was secretly engaged to a beautiful young lady, Viola. Lieutenant Blackwell and Miss Viola met while he was serving our country in Houston, Texas. While going through her son's personnel effects Mrs. Blackwell found the ring Hillary had purchased, "on time", for Miss Viola. Mrs. Blackwell and Miss Viola met and became close friends. Miss Viola wore Hilary's ring until her marriage, years later . She returned the ring to Mrs. Blackwell. Today Jane Blackwell, Hilary's sister-in-law, has this very special ring.

A recent entry to our guest book was from a family member and pen pal, still living in England. His worst fears about Hilery were confirmed on our web site.

Heroes like Second Lieutenant Blackwell and the men of the B-25 are very dear to our country and should always be remembered and honored. Their hopes, dreams, and actions have provided Americans the freedoms we have today.