Bernard M. Hillman, a retired decorated Navy lieutenant commander and longtime facility manager, passed away on Saturday, December 2 at his home in Narberth, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

During his U.S. Navy service, he saw action during four major invasions during World War II and earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in 1944 for “heroic conduct performed in the face of great danger.”

Hillman, 99, was born in Philadelphia but split his time growing up between Philadelphia and Cape May. He played youth sports in Narberth.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 while still a senior at Cape May High School and didn’t retire from active duty until 1969.

He became a career officer in 1952 and was stationed in Connecticut, Florida, California, and Philadelphia.

Hillman earned multiple medals, ribbons, and a citation from Admiral Chester Nimitz for “heroism in rescuing injured enlisted men from being drowned or burned to death” during World War II.

Hillman was also a father of seven and a longtime facility manager for Bonwit Teller.

“He was humble with no arrogance,” his son William said. “For him, it was always others before self.”

Read more about Bernard M. Hillman in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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