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‘I would do it all again’: Vancouver WWII veteran of Merchant Marines invited to 80th anniversary of D-Day in France

Julian “Thorne” Hilts, now 95, signed up at 16 because because he was too young to join the Navy

By Scott Hewitt, Columbian staff writer
Published: May 23, 2024, 6:07am
7 Photos
World War II veteran Julian “Thorne” Hilts displays a photo of himself when he was a commissioned Navy officer.
World War II veteran Julian “Thorne” Hilts displays a photo of himself when he was a commissioned Navy officer. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian) Photo Gallery

Many fought hard on the front lines of World War II and paid the ultimate price.

Many also labored behind the scenes to keep those front-line soldiers alive, fed, supplied and fighting the good fight. Their job was less celebrated, less glamorous and supposedly less dangerous — but many of them paid the ultimate price too.

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