Members of the Jared Mansfield Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution honored World War II veteran Jean Perry Dill, 89, for her service in the U.S. Navy Waves Corps.
Jared Mansfield Chapter members presented Dill with a certificate along with several other gifts to thank her for her service to the country on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Members present were Sheila Larson, Joan Wyatt and Pat Jennings.
Dill grew up in Mansfield and after graduating from Madison High School in 1942, she went to work at the Richland County Draft Board Office. She wanted to join the Navy but had to wait until she was 21 to get her parents’ permission to join, she said.
“That was in 1945, and the war was nearly over,” said Dill. “They were taking men with two children for service and I thought I should do my share, too.”
After basic training Dill was stationed in Pensacola, Florida as a U.S. Navy Waves Corps Hospital apprentice 1st Class.
When Dill returned home, she met and married Clinton Dill, Bellville’s postmaster at the time.
The couple had three children: Drew, Jane and Dwight Dill, seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Dill has some military history in her family.
“My dad, Joe Perry, was one of the oldest surviving World War I veterans. He lived until 2001,” she said.
Dill is a member of American Legion Post 535 in Bellville, and a member of WAVES International.
