Bernard Maurice Hillman, LCDR US Navy (Ret.), "Barney", passed away on December 2, 2023 at his home in Narberth, PA.  He was 99 years old.

Son of the late George Albert Hillman and Florence Barbara Hillman (nee Salmon), Bernard was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 17, 1924.

In 1943 at the age of 18, Bernard joined the US Navy.  After training, he was put into a crew for the LST-126 as a Boatswains Mate 2nd Class.  During the war he fought in the Pacific Theatre in the Marshall Islands, Marianna Islands and Phillipines.  He took part in 2 invasions, at Leyte and Luezon.   On May 21, 1944 Bernard received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. He received a citation from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz that read "For heroism in rescuing injured enlisted men from being drowned or burned to death. Under conditions of great personal danger from exploding vessels, and with complete disregard of his own safety, he voluntarily and courageously while serving as coxswain of a small boat, maneuvered his craft alongside a ship in flames to rescue men from the ship and from the water, thereafter transporting them to a place of safety. His heroic conduct, performed in the face of great danger to himself, was outstanding and in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service."

On January 12, 1952 Bernard married Anna Katharine Becker at St. Margaret Church in Narberth, PA,  In 1952 he obtained a commission and became a Naval Career Officer.  In 1957 he transferred to Key West, FL to charter courses on the submarine rescue vessel named the US Petrel.  In 1966 he was commissioned to Lt. Commander in the US Navy.  On October 30, 1969 he retired as a Lt. Commander in Philadelphia, PA.  In 1969 he began working as a maintenance manager at Bonwit Teller and would work there for 20 years before retiring in 1989.

Bernard is survived by his wife Anna Katharine Hillman (nee Becker).  His children Katharine Schneider (Joseph), Florence Marie Hillman (Owen Snyder), Marion Evelyn Hillman, Bernard Michael Hillman (Audrey), Anna Elizabeth Hillman, Joseph Edmund Hillman (June) and William Frederick Hillman (Teresa),  Grandchildren Timothy Snyder, Jason Hillman, William Bernard Hillman and John Patrick Hillman.  And his great-grandson Max Bernard Snyder.

Relatives and friends are invited on Thursday December 7th, Visitation from 10:30 to 11:30 AM with Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM at St. Margaret Church, 208 N. Narberth Ave., Narberth PA.  Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshocken, PA.