Last May, 93-year old Julian Thorne Hilts received a shiny medal in the mail at the Vancouver retirement home where he lives. The medal was from Congress, which in 2021 passed an act to recognize the 260,000 merchant mariners — including Hilts — who served in World War II.
Vancouver World War II veteran honored for serviceSubscriber Exclusive
Vancouver resident receives Congressional Gold Medal, reflects on a ‘wonderful life’
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