Ira Hill was Missing in Action on June 19, 1943 and then presumed dead on June 20, 1945. His rank at the time of his death was Coxswain.

Hill was awarded the Purple Heart medal for "military merit and for wounds received in action". The Purple Heart is the oldest active military medal in the United States and over 1 million soldiers were awarded this medal during World War II.

His body was never found so his name was engraved on the Tablets of the Missing (photo top and bottom right). 9,387 American soldiers are buried at Normandy. However, approximately 79,000 were unaccounted for due to some buried with unknowns, officially buried at sea, lost at sea, and MIA. Today, more than 73,000 are still unaccounted for, for Word War II.

Ira Lew Hill was a selfless and brave individual who enlisted voluntarily to serve in the United States Navy Reserve. His time serving was short, but the risk and sacrifice was all the same. Hill joined the military at 17 years of age to serve his country and fight for the freedom of the people and this sacrifice will not be forgotten.