644td Posted August 17, 2021 #1 Posted August 17, 2021 A special thank you to a member here that held onto this hemet from me. He waited patiently on me for 2 years as life got in the way and money was tight. I don’t show all of my helmets but the unknown story of the AlCAN Hwy I thought needed to be told. This helmet is an unmolested original set named to CH Captain Howard K. Hilner. Chaplain Hilner did not serve in the ETO or PTO but served State Side and in the ALCAN Highway. The helmet is a McCord fixed loop with a St Clair liner. This is an excellent example of a war time helmet. The Captains name is on the hemet and on the sweatband of the liner.
Paddyd00 Posted August 17, 2021 #3 Posted August 17, 2021 I love this one Marty as said on other forums. Lesser know “part” of WWII. Do we ever stop learning about it? I don’t think so. Nice to see it Z
644td Posted August 17, 2021 Author #4 Posted August 17, 2021 Only photo that has been found of him. The photo is post WW2 when he was serving in the NG. The photo was provided by Bob Nay. Hilner earned the Asian Pacific Campaign medal. From what I can determine and I can not confirm this but I’ve concluded that those that served on the ALCAN was awarded the medal.
Bugme Posted August 17, 2021 #5 Posted August 17, 2021 Such a cool helmet Marty! I had not even heard of the ALCAN highway thing until you and I started discussing this helmet some months back. Always learning.
1canpara Posted August 18, 2021 #6 Posted August 18, 2021 The starting point where most of the resources were based was my hometown of Edmonton, Alberta and it was built through the top part of the province I now live in, British Columbia. It’s a very interesting story of US-Canadian cooperation and logistics!
ArchangelDM Posted August 18, 2021 #9 Posted August 18, 2021 Marty an amazing helmet and in the safest of hands congrats - Dean
The Rooster Posted August 18, 2021 #10 Posted August 18, 2021 Thats a real stunner !!! Wow Congratulations ! This is one that has it all ! Fixed bail Stclair Chaplain Id'd stencilled lid chin straps !!! Wow ! Just Wow !!!! For reference, There is a great article in the February, 1943 National Geographic "Alaskan Highway an Engineering Epic By Froelich Rainey.... Great One Marty !! Dave
The Rooster Posted August 18, 2021 #11 Posted August 18, 2021 REV. HOWARD K. HILNER The Rev. Howard K. Hilner, 77, of 2206 E. King's Highway, Coatesville, a former pastor of Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Meyersdale, died recently of a heart attack at his home. Born in Danville, he was a son of the late Alfred C. and Hannah Kauffman Hilner. He had resided in the Coatesville area since leaving Meyersdale in 1951. Rev. Hilner served as Protestant Chaplain at the Coatesville Veterans Administration Hospital from 1951 until 1967, when he retired. He also had previously served pastorates in New Cumberland and Watsontown. During WW II he served as Protestant chaplain at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., and was chaplain on the Alcan Highway. After World War II, he continued his pastorate in Meyersdale until going to Coatesville. A graduate of Gettysburg College and Gettysburg Seminary, he was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Coatesville; the Central Pennsylvania Synod, the Coatesville Area Clergy Association and of the Masonic Order in Meyersdale. In 1964 he was admitted to the Legion of Honor of the Chapel of Four Chaplains, Philadelphia. Surviving are his second wife, Catherine Coates Hilner; two daughters, Dorothea, wife of F. Frederick Breuninger, Coatesville and Patricia, wife of Clarke H. Bigler, Trumbull, Conn.; and a son, Howard K. Jr. of Pittsburgh; also ten grandchildren. (appears to be missing a column) Meyersdale Republic, December 12, 1974
644td Posted August 18, 2021 Author #12 Posted August 18, 2021 22 hours ago, Bugme said: Such a cool helmet Marty! I had not even heard of the ALCAN highway thing until you and I started discussing this helmet some months back. Always learning. Thank you Scott and thank you for always helping with sold advice. 17 hours ago, 1canpara said: The starting point where most of the resources were based was my hometown of Edmonton, Alberta and it was built through the top part of the province I now live in, British Columbia. It’s a very interesting story of US-Canadian cooperation and logistics! Canada is a place I would love it visit and. You are blessed to live in a beautiful country. 13 hours ago, whitecap said: Fantastic set and thanks for sharing. Rich Thank you Rich 7 hours ago, dmar836 said: That's a great one, Marty. Congrats! Dave Dave thank you 4 hours ago, ArchangelDM said: Marty an amazing helmet and in the safest of hands congrats - Dean Dean you put me on the path of this helmet years ago and I thank you 3 hours ago, The Rooster said: Thats a real stunner !!! Wow Congratulations ! This is one that has it all ! Fixed bail Stclair Chaplain Id'd stencilled lid chin straps !!! Wow ! Just Wow !!!! For reference, There is a great article in the February, 1943 National Geographic "Alaskan Highway an Engineering Epic By Froelich Rainey.... Great One Marty !! Dave Dave, I will find that issue and put it with helmet. Thank you 3 hours ago, The Rooster said: REV. HOWARD K. HILNER The Rev. Howard K. Hilner, 77, of 2206 E. King's Highway, Coatesville, a former pastor of Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Meyersdale, died recently of a heart attack at his home. Born in Danville, he was a son of the late Alfred C. and Hannah Kauffman Hilner. He had resided in the Coatesville area since leaving Meyersdale in 1951. Rev. Hilner served as Protestant Chaplain at the Coatesville Veterans Administration Hospital from 1951 until 1967, when he retired. He also had previously served pastorates in New Cumberland and Watsontown. During WW II he served as Protestant chaplain at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., and was chaplain on the Alcan Highway. After World War II, he continued his pastorate in Meyersdale until going to Coatesville. A graduate of Gettysburg College and Gettysburg Seminary, he was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Coatesville; the Central Pennsylvania Synod, the Coatesville Area Clergy Association and of the Masonic Order in Meyersdale. In 1964 he was admitted to the Legion of Honor of the Chapel of Four Chaplains, Philadelphia. Surviving are his second wife, Catherine Coates Hilner; two daughters, Dorothea, wife of F. Frederick Breuninger, Coatesville and Patricia, wife of Clarke H. Bigler, Trumbull, Conn.; and a son, Howard K. Jr. of Pittsburgh; also ten grandchildren. (appears to be missing a column) Meyersdale Republic, December 12, 1974 Thank you for taking the time to help research CH Hilner. There’s not much to be found but that’s part of the fun of research.
M24 Chaffee Posted August 19, 2021 #13 Posted August 19, 2021 Great helmet, photos and history! A real top shelf piece of history! Frank
The Rooster Posted August 19, 2021 #14 Posted August 19, 2021 There are several copies of the feb 43 issue for sale on ebay. The one pictured below is 4.95 + shipping.
644td Posted August 19, 2021 Author #15 Posted August 19, 2021 11 minutes ago, The Rooster said: There are several copies of the feb 43 issue for sale on ebay. The one pictured below is 4.95 + shipping. Just bought it. It was on my saved item but I had a message in to some other sellers to see if they had one; their price was a little lower. I guess if I waited it may have sold. thank you
The Rooster Posted August 19, 2021 #16 Posted August 19, 2021 In the lower right corner of the first page of the article about the highway, it says "See, in the National Georaphic Magazine "our air frontier in Alaska" By Hap Arnold October 1940 "Family afoot in the yukon wilds" May 1942 "Strategic Alaska Looks Ahead" September 1942 Im guessing those are relevant articles that mention the Alcan.
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