World War II Honoree

Robert R. Hammond

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Miner County, South Dakota

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

HE WAS IN COMPANY B OF THE 109TH QUARTERMASTER REGIMENT OF THE 34TH DIVISION, WHICH WAS CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY FEBRUARY 10, 1941 AT CAMP CLAIBORNE, LOUISIANA. THE DIVISION LATER MOVED TO FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY WHERE IT WAS REORGANIZED IN FEBRUARY 1942. AT THAT TIME, HIS UNIT WAS DETACHED TO FORM THE 135TH QUARTERMASTER TRUCK COMPANY. DURING THE REMAINDER OF 1942 AND 1943, THE COMPANY SUPPORTED TRAINING OPERATIONS AT FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA; CAMP PICKETT, SOUTH CAROLINA AND CAMP MCCALL, NORTH CAROLINA. IT MOVED TO CAMP SHANKS, NEW JERSEY IN EARLY 1944 AND EMBARKED ON THE QUEEN MARY FEBRUARY 12, 1944, ARRIVING GOUROCK, SCOTLAND ON FEBRUARY 18. FOR THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS, IT WAS PART OF THE 3RD ARMY AT THE BRACKNELL DEPOT NEAR ALTENHAM, ENGLAND. HE CROSSED THE CHANNEL TO UTAH BEACH ON D-DAY +34 WITH THE COMPANY NOW ATTACHED TO THE 12TH ARMY GROUP HEADQUARTERS. FROM JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER, HE CROSSED FRANCE VIA PERIERS, ST. SAUVEU- LENDELIN, ST. JAMES, LAVAL AND VERSAILLES, STOPPING AT VERDUN SEPTEMBER 17, 1944. V-E DAY FOUND HIM STATIONED AT WIESBADEN, GERMANY. FROM THERE HE MADE A TRIP TO SEE THE DACHAU CONCENTRATION CAMP NEAR MUNICH VERY SHORTLY AFTER THE CAMP'S LIBERATION. HE REMAINED BASED AT WIESBADEN UNTIL RETURNING STATESIDE IN OCTOBER 1945 ON A LIBERTY SHIP VIA ANTWERP AND BOSTON. HE WAS DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT ON OCTOBER 31, 1945 AT CAMP MCCOY, WISCONSIN.