Hilbert Knippel was born in 1923 near Dodge Center, Minn. He enlisted in the US Coast Guard Reserve on Aug. 28, 1942, in Omaha, Neb.

After Hilbert completed his basic training in Alameda, Calif., he reported to Excursion Inlet, Alaska, and spent 18 months completing studies in cryptographic work. He attained the rank of Specialist 3rd Class at Excursion Inlet, Alaska. He was then transferred back to the lower forty-eight states and served at important ports in Atlantic City, N.J., Manhattan Beach, N.Y. and Ft McHenry, Baltimore, Md.

During his time in the service, Hilbert attained the classifications of Qualified Expert Pistol, Qualified Expert Rifleman, Honorable Service Button, Honorable Service Emblem and Honorable Discharge Button.

Hilbert was discharged on Oct. 13, 1945. He married Vivian Unger and they raised two sons. Hilbert resided in Faribault, Minn.