World War II Honoree

Edward James Hammond

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Columbus, Ohio

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN NOVEMBER, 1942. SERVED AS AN AIRBORNE RADAR SPECIALIST DURING THE WAR. HELPED DEVELOP A TOP SECRET BOMBING DEVICE, CODE NAMED 'PATHFINDER.' THE DEVICE ALLOWED BLIND BOMBING UNDER CLOUDY OR OVERCAST CONDITIONS OR IN DARKNESS. IT HELPED BOMBARDIERS LOCATE FEATURES SUCH AS ROADS, RAILROADS, AND BUILDINGS WHILE FLYING THOUSANDS OF FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN MARCH, 1946 WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.