SALEM, IL, USA U.S. Army CPL, COMPANY C, 100TH BATTALION, 442ND INFANTRY, PAGO PAGO, AS CAMP VIRGINIA, IRAQ 06/24/2009
Casey L. Hills, a Midwest boy, was assigned to the 442nd Infantry’s Charlie Company. Almost all of the 150 soldiers in Charlie Company are from American Samoa, but said he quickly became part of its ohana, or family.
Casey is the one who surprised his fellow soldiers with a quiet demeanor, a hard work ethic, and a commitment to the platoon that made him a platoon favorite, said Lt. Col. Mike Peeters.
Hills, 23, of Salem, Ill., died June 24 his Humvee flipped over during a convoy run to Kuwait. He was assigned to Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Hills’ platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Edwin Seui, said: If there were 10 Hills available, I would take them all. Hills wasn’t supposed to be on his last convoy since he had just completed a mission into Iraq, but he volunteered to step in for another soldier who was studying to take the U.S. citizenship test.
Hills’ company commander, Major Ralph Robinson, said, He was the king of turn and burns, meaning he was always willing to go back out.
With all the overwhelming tasks, he never once complained and continued mission, he said.
He is survived by his parents, Mark and Tami.