Hippert recalls WWII Navy service

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- World War II Navy veteran Harold Hippert vividly recalls the ferocity of a Coral Sea storm 60 years ago while he was aboard ship.

"It seemed the waves were a block high," the 89-year-old Hippert said. "We pulled in behind a reef to ride it out. If not for that, I think we would have capsized."

Today is Veterans Day, and the nation will pause to remember all veterans in simple ceremonies in high school gymnasiums and other public places.

The observance was originally called Armistice Day for the end of World War I in 1918. The conclusion of that war came at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

As a veteran of World War II, Hippert is a member of what has become known as 'The Greatest Generation." He is one of approximately 4 million surviving veterans out of 16 million who served in that conflict.

As a First-Class Navy Disbursing Clerk in Brisbane, Australia, Hippert had a high-visibility position as a pay--and-travel claim clerk for military officers and diplomats throughout the South Pacific.

He processed travel claims for a number of celebrities including U.S. Coast Guard officer and professional boxing champion Jack Dempsey who later served on the attack transport USS Arthur Middleton for the invasion of Okinawa.

Due to his athletic prowess and given the choice of playing ball or doing routine drills and work, Hippert often played basketball and baseball in the Navy.

His military baseball teammates in Australia included major league Hall of Famer Phil Rizzuto and Dom DiMaggio, Joe's brother.

Lying about his young age as a teenager, Hippert joined Company A of the National Guard's 205th Infantry more than 70 years ago.

After his father died before he was two years old, Hippert was raised by his grandparents and other relatives and did farm work in Germantown, between Sanborn and Lamberton.

Every Thursday, he would ride a single-speed bicycle 35 miles, to New Ulm for Thursday night Guard drills. After spending the night with relatives in New Ulm, he biked 35 miles back home. The trip usually took him about three hours each way, depending upon the wind.

He later moved to New Ulm and worked for the A&P Tea Company as a relief store manager. Hippert played baseball for the Schell's Deer Brand Beer team. He competed in the Hormel Packers League in later years while working for A&P in Austin.

Hippert joined the Navy in 1942 and served in New Caledonia, New Guinea besides Australia. In Brisbane, he met another New Ulmite, Howard Aufderheide who was serving in the Air Force. In New Guinea, Hippert located another New Ulmite, Sylvester Domeier who served aboard a Navy cruiser, the USS Boise and Harold Bieraugel, who was in the Army.

Carrying large amounts of cash in suitcases in Brisbane, Hippert said he never had an escort or carried a weapon. He worked across the street and often saw a pair of famous military officers, General Douglas McArthur and Admiral Thomas Kincaid.

His Navy keepsakes include a letter of commendation signed by President Harry Truman.

Hippert returned to New Ulm after the war. He worked at McCleary Auto Parts on Minnesota Street with Bieraugel for 35 years and served four terms on the New Ulm City Council.

He played baseball for the New Ulm Northsiders in the Tomahawk League.

Matthew Chesler, Hippert's grandson is continuing a family tradition. Chesler is now a Navy Lieutenant.

(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).