3. Hill applied his criminal knowledge to his military life
Although Henry claimed to have joined the Army in part to please his father, his activities while a soldier was designed to please Paul Vario and his adopted family. While in the army, Hill loaned money to his fellow soldiers, charging exorbitant interest rates for the service. Assigned to the kitchen, he stole food and sold it to local merchants and restaurants. He justified the activity in Wise Guys by explaining the Army bought too much food, and what he diverted would of otherwise been disposed of as waste. Stationed in North Carolina, Hill began using free weekends to smuggle tax-free cigarettes to his friends at the Vario cabstand. Hill maintained his connections with the Varios and Burke throughout his enlistment. He also sold other items obtainable on base to locals, after being removed from his kitchen detail.
As he would many times in life, Hill ran afoul of the authorities while in uniform. Following a brawl in a saloon, Hill fled the scene in a stolen sheriff’s car. His case was adjudicated by the military, and he spent time in the stockade. Leaving the service in 1963, Hill returned to New York, where he quickly and efficiently expanded his criminal enterprises, often working with Burke. Hijackings, stolen credit cards, cigarette smuggling, arson, intimidation, and other crimes were added to his resume. So was an organized car theft ring, which included cars stolen to order, delivered to a partner in Puerto Rico. By 1965, when Hill met his future wife, Karen Friedman, he was a major earner for the Vario crime family, welcome in Paul’s home as well as his business dealings.