Thursday, October 12, 2006
William F. Hegwood
In researching my Dads Naval history I have come across so many interesting bends in the road and so many interesting people. And one of the most interesting things Terri and I come across are Dad’s shipmates. Recently I happened to find information on one of Dad’s shipmates, William F. Hegwood, from the USS Bell DD587 online at his grandson’s (Steve Brammer) website.
Below is the information they have on William Hegwood on the Brammer family website:
Petty Officer Hegwood was born on December 20, 1909 in Madrid, Nebraska . He enlisted in the United States Navy in February of 1944 and received his basic training (Boot Camp) at the United States Naval Training Center (USNTC), Farragut, Idaho. Petty Officer Hegwood saw combat action during World War II aboard the Fletcher Class Destroyer USS Bell (DD587) when it was attached to Task Force 58 for the Kavieng, New Ireland, strikes. Petty Officer Hegwood also participated in combat during the Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, invasion; Truk strike; Marianas raid; Carolines strike; Hollandia landings; Saipan invasion; 4 Bonins raids; Battle of the Philippine Sea; Guam invasion; western Carolines raids; Palau raids; Okinawa raid; and with Task Force 38 in the Formosa raids. The USS Bell formed part of the escort of the crippled USS Houston (CL-81) and USS Canberra (CN-70) from Formosa to Ulithi. She then rejoined the 3rd Fleet for strikes against Luzon and the invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. During the late evening of January 31, 1945, while at 13 degrees 20 North, 119 degrees 20 East, the USS Bell joined the O'Bannon (DD-450) and the Ulvert M. Moore (DE-442) in sinking the Japanese submarine RO-115. Petty Officer Hegwood, was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Petty Officer Hegwood was honorably discharged from the Naval Service in May of 1945.
I filled out their online form and received an interesting reply from the son of William Hegwood (Larry Hegwood).
Email from Larry Hegwood:
Dad never talked much about his navy time. He was 38 years old when he "volunteered" trying to get a 4f rating . He and uncle Roy Evans wanted to go to Alaska and work on the highway and make the big bucks. They both became navy members. Dad didn't stay in long, he got stomach ulcers and was discharged just before the end of the war. We were in Alliance Nebraska when WWII ended. I do know the Bell went over the equator while he was onboard. He ragged me until he died about not being a shell back. "Belonged to the destroyer nave and joined the Airforce and after 20 years you still are a pollywog.
link | posted by Dads Navy Days at 10/12/2006 11:39:00 AM
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