Person:Envin Hillesland (1)

1920 census-ND-Nelson-Ora-5 Feb 1920-sheet 10B and 11A-lines 90-100 and 1-2-dwelling 153-family 156-Lars D Hillesland; 55; immigrated 1884; naturalized 1891; born Norway as are his parents; farmer; general farm; Gunhild; 44; immigrated 1882; naturalized 1891; born Norway as are her parents; Dedric L; 25; Gottfried; 24; Jorgen; 22; Julia B; 20; Anna E; 17; Nels; 15; Gina; 13; Lewis; 10; Gladys; 6; Bertha; 3 yrs 8 mos; Anvin [Envin Lars]; 8 mos; all children born ND

1925 census-ND-Nelson-Ora-sheet 5-Lars D Hillesland; 60; Gunhild; 50; Nels L; 21; Gina L; 19; Louis L; 15; Gladys; 11; Envin L; 6; Bertha; 9

1930 census-ND-Nelson-Aneta-29 Apr 1930-Ed 32-2-sheet 1A-lines 42-46- dwelling 10-family 11-Lars D Hillesland; rents; 65; married at age 28; born Norway as are his parents; immigrated 1884; Gunhild; 55; [indexed as Garfield]; married at age 17; born Norway as are her parents; immigrated 1882; Gladys A; 16; Bertha L; 13; Envin L; 10; looks like Gene Allan McH???? [indexed as Gene Allan Mcthoram]; grandson; 1; all children born ND

1945 ltr from Grace Tiley Beck, Envin's wife, to her grandfather, John Seitz Beck - shows Envin's military service: Tellicum, Wash. May 1, 1945

Dear Grandaddy & grandma –

Daddy said he’d heard from you and that you’re back in Wash. Also said you’d called him on his failing memory – that he forgot to tell you my name but sent you my address. Consequently, I’ll attempt to enlighten you a bit.

My husband is an Army Tech. Sergeant. Name: Envin L. Hillesland. Nationality: Norwegian. Birthplace: Aneta, ND. Eyes – blue, weight – 189, height – 6’ 1”, hair – light. Profession: physical education instructor. Was quite a basketball star in high school and college – Goes in for all sports, though.

Received infantry training in this country and commando training in New Caledonia. Enlisted – and served with the 164th Regiment – 33 months overseas. Was his platoon leader.

Came through the battles without a scratch but had plenty of close calls. Had his wristwatch shot off and the tock shot from his rifle. Contacted recurrent malaria.

The 164th Infantry was a bastard regiment (attached to no division). Having received commando training they were asked to go with the 1st Marine Division. They fought with them during the Guadalcanal campaign from beginning to end. On hitting Bauganville they formed the Americal Division (Army) the only American division ever formed overseas. Thus, they are the only ones privileged to wear two patches: The Americal patch on the left shoulder (it is a royal blue shield with four white starts in the form of the Southern Cross), and the 1st6 Marine Division patch on the right sleeve. The Marine patch is a royal blue diamond with a red 1 on which white letters form the word Guadalcanal. The Southern Cross is formed by white stars on the blue background.

Decorations & Awards –

Combat infantryman award, two Navy presidential citations (one of which is rated the highest Navy citation), two army presidential citation, Silver Star for gallantry in action, one commendation. Good conduct ribbon, Pre-Pearl Harbor ribbon, SW Pacific Theatre of operations, American defense. Two stars on the PTO ribbon. Five gold overseas stripes, one hash mark. Add a dash of paprika and bake in a slow oven.

Was offered field commissions on two occasions but refused them.

Present ambition: To get out of the Army!

He has a few hobbies – plays the guitar especially well and has a pleasing voice. Won state & regional Forensic contests for singing while in high school, but got licked in the National. Likes to garden – Worked on a farm during summers.

Speaks, reads, writes Norwegian. Family ancestry is Norwegian royalty and extensive land tracts in Norway carry the name Hillesland. You can hash this out with him sometime.

Both daddy & Ted think he is fine, so that’s good enough for me. The Becks have always had the reputation of being hyper-critical.

After the war we want to live in Penna. Right now we are hoping for a transfer back there. Will know in about three weeks whether or not we get it.

Hope you can make it to PA for a visit and that we get to see you soon.

Love, to all. - Grace

P. S. We live on the banks of American Lake – the setting for the snapshots. Little Gruesome is our pedigreed red cocker.

Grace Tiley Beck to John Seitz Beck pg1

pg 2 of ltr

pg 3 of ltr

pg 4 of ltr

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Beck, Grace Tiley. birth information for Envin L HILLESLAND. (Date: 1 May 1945;).

   "My husband is an Army Tech sergeant. Name: Envin L Hillesland. Nationality: Norwegian. Birthplace: Aneta, ND"

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Envin Lars Hillesland, in Find A Grave.