Walter S. Hammond, Jr., 18, Killed In Auto Crash in Louisiana

REMEMBER THE FALLEN

A2C Walter S. Hammond, Jr, 18,

Killed In Auto Crash In Louisiana

By Bob Lessard, Historian Post 64

Siemon L. Nickerson American Legion

(Periodically, the Gazette will publish biographical sketches of Middleboro war casualties. This is intended to remind our citizens about all veterans and especially those who gave their lives while serving our country. A slogan worth repeating states: “ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL.”)

 Readers of the Thursday, August 28, 1952 edition of the Middleboro Gazette learned of the death of 18 year-old United States Air Force member Walter Stephen Hammond, Jr., 18. He had been killed the previous Saturday, August 23, in a highway accident about 35 miles East of New Orleans, LA.

Airman Hammond was riding in a private car with seven others when the vehicle collided head-on with an Army truck.  He was one of four killed in the accident, which occurred on US Highway 90, according to news sources.

 Walter was the son of Walter S. and Gleasia L. (Tripp) of Plymouth Street. Educated in the Middleboro school system, he was a member of the North Middleboro Baptist Church. Following Air Force Basic Training, he was stationed stateside at Keesler Field in Mississippi when he lost his life.

 His military record indicates that Walter died while in the service during the Korean War.                                          

 Born in Boston on January 21, 1934, Walter was survived by his parents at the time of his death. He was also survived by three sisters, Mrs. Jane Hoard, Ronda L. and Delsie L. Hammond and a brother Ralph H. all of Middleboro; and, grandparents Mrs. Maude DeMoranville of Middleboro, Ralph Hammond of South Braintree and Mrs. Abbie L. Tripp of Wareham.

 Funeral services were conducted on Friday, August 29 by the Egger Funeral Home on Pearl Street  with Reverend Richard Mullin of the North Middleboro Baptist Church officiating. Interment was In Nemasket Hill cemetery.

 Walter is remembered and honored here in Middleboro as his name is engraved on the Central Casualty stone in the Middleboro veterans Memorial Park. He is also listed In Mertie Romaine’s “History of the Town of Middleboro, Massachusetts 1905-1965.” He is listed with two others who lost their lives while serving during the Korean War: Leo A. Gamache and Alfred R. Gauthier.

 Residents are reminded that bricks are still available for placement in the Memorial Park. Applications are available in the brick locator box in the park; in the Bank Building lobby and the Veterans Service Officer room; and by contacting Paul Kreitzberg at 508-965-9545.