Friday, March 30, 2001

By Eric B. Pilgrim, Stars and Stripes

Chief Warrent Officer George A. Graves	Chief Warrant Officer Lance L. Hill

WIESBADEN, Germany — "Chief Warrant Officer 4 Graves."

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Voss bowed his head, waiting as the name drifted over about 500 people quietly sitting in Wiesbaden’s Hainerberg Chapel Thursday.

No response.

"Chief Warrant Officer 4 George A. Graves."

Tears filled Voss’ eyes as reality seeped in. Voss called the roll of those assigned to Company B, 1st Military Intelligence Battalion. Each stood and announced his presence. Voss bowed his head again, waiting.

Still no response.

"Chief Warrant Officer 4 George, Anthony, Graves!"

Silence.

Mourners sat through more than an hour of music, poetry, praise and tears to pay tribute to Graves and Chief Warrant Officer Lance L. Hill, who died Monday after their RC-12K reconnaissance aircraft mysteriously plummeted into a remote forest northeast of Nuremberg.

While family and friends of the two attended the memorial service in Wiesbaden, investigators combed through wreckage at the site, looking for answers. Graves was the chief instructor in an apparent routine training mission, according to Army officials.

Michael Abrams / Stars and Stripes A 205th Military Intelligence Brigade soldier sits in the Hainerberg chapel following a memorial service for Chief Warrant Officers George A. Graves and Lance L. Hill.

Both pilots were new to the area, although neither were strangers to Germany.

Hill, with his wife, Frances and 9-year-old daughter, Danielle, or Dani to friends, arrived at the unit in January after flying 13 years with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Born in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1956, Graves apparently never married and had no known relatives, according to Army officials. He arrived at the unit about two months prior to Hill and had been in the Army about 25 years. Some friends who knew him said Wiesbaden was to be his last tour before retirement.

In the few short months he was with the unit, Hill had already left his mark on soldiers, said Capt. Will Pearson, commander of the company. Maj. Robert Hunt, executive officer for the battalion, echoed that sentiment later in the service.

"He has contributed just as much to this unit in two months than most do their whole tour," Hunt said.

Hunt talked directly to Frances, known as Frankie to many, and shared a personal memory during one of the most touching moments in the service.

"No matter how tough it would get or hectic, Lance would reach into his pocket and pull out a chicken bone ..." Hunt fought back tears as his voice cracked. Frances nodded. "... and just start chewing on it."

According to friends who knew him, Hill was considered a legend in Army aviation circles. He had flown in Desert Storm with the 160th, as well as numerous other missions. In his 20-year career, Hill flew more than 4,200 hours with at least 31 of those being in combat, according to Hunt.

Graves was considered the consummate professional. He checked and double-checked everything. He helped in maintenance and offered hours and hours of advice about everything, according to friends.

"George had the gift of gab," said Chief Warrant Officer Scott Denny, chief pilot for Company B and a close friend of Graves’. "He always took the long way around the barn on any subject."

Lt. Col. Danny Durham, commander of the battalion, said Graves was one of the most experienced pilots he had ever known, and one of the most professional.

It was their personal lives, however, that many people remembered the most.

Graves had a favorite drink, cognac. Although he would sometimes surprise friends and order something else. And he loved flying.

Several personal photos of Hill and his family hung in the foyer at the ceremony.

A day at the beach where Lance sat, buried up to his neck in sand. Lance at home. Lance, Frankie and Dani in their convertible with the top down on a snowy winter day. Dani leaning against her father’s left shoulder in a power boat, her eyes closed and a big smile on her face. The wedding.

"That must be their wedding day," a woman said quietly to her husband. "Isn’t she such a pretty bride?"

As the roll call continued, another name was met with silence.

"Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hill."

The battalion command sergeant major waited for a "Here, sergeant major," his head bowed. Silence.

"Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lance Hill."

Voss choked up, his voice splintering in emotion. Tears spilled out as he looked over at Frankie. There would be no response.

"Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lance, Leonard, Hill!"

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