Noel Mehlo Writes Novel to Find and Honor Lost Ranger

WEBWIRE – Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Staff Sergeant Herbert Stanton Hill died a more-tragic death than dying in a war far from home.

SS Hill was a member of the United States Fifth Ranger Infantry Battalion during World War II. Although the number of WWII casualties is beyond imaginable and many battalions were almost wiped out, SS Hill did not die in the European theater where he served. He died ten years after making it home safe and sound—but he did not just die. He took with him all knowledge about his service in the army. His papers were lost. His military identity became nonexistent. He became a ghost in every sense of the word. He became a lost ranger.

In 2011, author Noel F. Mehlo inherited the discharge paper of SS Hill, his grandfather, sparking his curiosity about the life and service of the latter. Mehlo embarked on a journey to trace Hill’s footsteps throughout Europe. The result is his remarkable book, “The Lost Ranger: A Soldier’s Story.”

Mehlo, who is an ex- US counterintelligence agent, combined his tenacity and expertise in research and his writing prowess to produce ”The Lost Ranger: A Soldier’s Story.” It is a historical narrative loaded with maps and photographs. It provides details where there is a gap in America’s military history. Above all else, it honors the legacy of the SS Hill and all the men who bravely fought in Europe during World War II.

To learn more about the author and his works and to get a copy of his book, you may visit his website: https://thelostranger.com/

“The Lost Ranger: A Soldier’s Story”
Written by Noel Frederick Mehlo, Jr.
Published by Your Online Publicist
Published Date: June 2019
Paperback: $32.99
eBook: $2.99
Website: https://thelostranger.com/

About the Author
Noel F. Mehlo, Jr. is the grandson of the late Staff Sergeant Herbert Stanton Hull. Prior to 2012, all that was known of his grandfather’s service came from a hand-written note that contained a mere fifty words. After his grandmother’s passing in late 2011, Mr. Mehlo inherited his grandfather’s ranger uniform and a single discharge paper. The information sparked a curiosity regarding the life and service of Staff Sergeant Hull including his unit. Mr. Mehlo attacked the problem using a specialized set of skills acquired over the course of his career.

Mr. Mehlo currently serves as an Environmental Specialist. Most of his professional written work includes reports and technical guidance. He has worked as a soil scientist, biologist and wetland scientist providing him with valuable skills in scientific research. He has worked in cultural resources and has taught how to conduct historical research as well as a myriad of other topics in the transportation industry in which he now works.

Prior to his current work, Mr. Mehlo served in the U.S. Army as a counterintelligence agent. He had followed his grandfather’s example to serve. Mr. Mehlo combined his tenacity along with his skills as a researcher and intelligence professional to explore the details regarding the Fifth Ranger Infantry Battalion and his grandfather’s service. Using these skills, he sought out veterans and their families and earned their trust and support for the project.

Mr. Mehlo is married with a family and serves in a local Boy Scout troop. Earlier in his life, he participated in early American historical reenactment, with a focus on early Ohio history.