Hilton's Commitment to the Military
Here in the United States, our veterans and their families have made tremendous sacrifices. And at Hilton, we’re committed to ensuring they have a great career when they return home from service.
35,000 and growing.
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The Military
Skill Set
Veterans and their spouses are incredible assets for our company. They bring a unique set of highly transferable skills, experience, and values.
- Discipline
- Organisation
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
The most important lesson we’ve learned since starting Operation: Opportunity is the one we suspected from the beginning – hiring veterans and their spouses is not just a matter of doing the right thing. As much as we’re helping them, they’re doing even more to help us achieve our mission to be the world’s most hospitable company.
Operation: Opportunityis a shining example of the convergence of doing something that is good for society, good for our business, and good for our culture.
Conrad Hilton and His Military Legacy
Conrad’s first introduction to the military was when he attended the Goss Military Academy (now New Mexico Military Institute) in Roswell, NM. In 1912, New Mexico became a state and Conrad was elected to the state legislature as a Republican.
He worked in the legislature for two terms before leaving out of frustration. He returned to San Antonio and raised $3,000 to start a bank. When the United States entered World War I, Conrad sold the bank and enlisted in the US Army where he served in France in the Quartermaster Corps.
In 1919, Conrad was discharged following his father's sudden death. He went back to San Antonio to take charge of his father's businesses.
For Conrad, World War I was an experience never forgotten. Thirty years after the close of the war, he ruminated in his memoir about the impact of the war on soldiers.
It changes him. He may be better or worse, but he can never be the same man he would have been. I know I wasn’t.
Conrad's Military Support
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World War II
In 1937, Conrad acquired the Longview Hilton hotel. He gave ownership of it to four longtime Hilton managers who were serving in the military during World War II. The four spent their entire post-military careers at Hilton.
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Korean War Veterans
After the Korean War, the Conrad Hilton (now Chicago Hilton) offered returning military personnel and their wives a few free nights at the hotel and some cash for spending at shows.
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Vietnam War Military Personnel
The Hawaiian Village offered free room or discounts for military personnel during the Vietnam War.
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Returning Prisoners of War
The Washington Hilton threw a large banquet for all the returning Prisoners of War in 1973. President Nixon made an appearance and John McCain was there on crutches.
Military Program Awards
