Adrian Haynes WW2 Veteran

Middleboro resident 87 year-old Adrian Poponessett Haynes, a WW2 United States Navy veteran, made a special effort to attend this past Veterans Day activities. He participated in the parade by riding in a convertible driven by Nannette Vickery. Later during ceremonies, he was a member of the Middleboro Veterans Council Honor Guard firing squad which fired the 21 gun salute.
The longtime Honor Guard member had missed many of the recent activities due to nagging medical problems. His decision to join in the parade and ceremonies on Veterans Day surprised many of his friends. “He sure caught me off guard,” said Paul Provencher, Middleboro’s Veterans Agent. Russ Pittsley transported Adrian to the town hall for the activities,” I certainly was happy to see him feeling better.”
“I wanted to be there,” remarked Mr. Haynes, who serves as Chaplain for Simeon L. Nickerson, American Legion Post 64. He blessed the parade before its start and enjoyed seeing many of his old friends. ”I was so glad to get out of the house,” he said.
A full blooded member of the Wampanoag tribe, Adrian was born in Mashpee in 1926. His parents were Clinton Haynes and Daisy F. Mingo. They were the parents of ten children: four sons, Clinton, Jr., Vernon, Adrian and Tisquantum; and six daughters: Violet, Anita, Rita, Daisy, Naomi and Nickomas.
His dad was known as Chief Wild Horse and, according to Adrian, was a fine marathon runner.
From Mashpee Adrian moved to Middleboro at 191 Wareham Street to live with his grandmother Mary L. Attaquin. He was joined later at the home by brother Clinton, Jr., who was known as “Buddy.” Older Middleboro residents will remember Tisquantum living on Cherry Street.
During the war, brother Vernon served with the Marine Corps Reserve and was Killed In Action on May 15, 1945 at age 20 at Ryukya Island, Okinawa. He had been an aspiring boxing fighter and had earned several New England light heavy weight amateur titles. In the service, Vernon had earned the Navy’s prestigious Hedron trophy for his boxing prowess.
Vernon is remembered through the dedication of the bridge on Route 44 over the railroad tracks. The bridge dedication took place in November 1966. The late Harold Tower, a past commander of Post 64, is credited with gaining that recognition for Vernon.
During WW2 Adrian’s naval service saw action as a Seaman First Class. In the European Theater he operated a landing craft during operations at Anzio transporting troops to shore. His unit was part of the Naval Supply Depot out of Oran, Algeria.
He was awarded for his service: the European Theater ribbon, American Theater ribbon, World War 2 Victory medal and the good conduct medal. He served four years during and after the war and was honorably discharged in February 1947.
Adrian Haynes is, in addition to being an American Legion Member, is a member of Middleboro’s Veterans of Foreign Wars John Glass Post 2188 and the Taunton Disabled American Veterans Chapter 57 organization.
( Article written By Bob Lessard, Historian,published in Middleboro Gazette December 5, 2013)