The Hammett brothers, Marvin and Ira, worked together in The South Pacific during WW II. Ira was a member of in the 117th Field Artillery Battalion of the Alabama National Guard in Andalusia, Alabama, in June of 1930. Marvin became part of that group in 1933. They were both mobilized after the 117th unit was activated in November of 1940 and were was sent into Camp Blanding, Florida, to train.
Post-war photograph from Ira Hammett and daughter Josephine [left] and wife Trudie Mae (right). [Photo: Matthew Hammett]
Ira Richard Hammett was born in the Rose Hill community in Covington County, Alabama on January 27 the year 1911. Marvin Eugene Hammett was born in the same community on the 28th of December 1913. The parents of the couple were Laura Wyatt and Elmer Eugene Hammett. The Hammetts also had a son who passed away as an infant. There were two girls: Susan Clyde and Miree. The Hammett family was farmers and both sons worked on the farm.
Ira completed her studies at Straughn High School in 1929. Marvin dropped out of at the end of 11th class in 1932, to explore the world with Ira and a friend from the family. In the midst Great Depression, the Hammett brothers along with a friend decided they would go to Chicago for the World’s Fair in Chicago that was scheduled to begin in 1933.
They planned to travel on a motorized vehicle they called”skip jack. “skip Jack.” However it consisted of an engine and a frame. They tacked planks onto the frame to make it a comfortable place to sit. They attached a trunk at the rear to keep their clothes, and also boxes for the seat of the driver.
After departing the area, they reached north Alabama but soon ran short of cash. They had to stop and harvest cotton for a few weeks in order to make enough money to buy gasoline and food to travel to the next step to Chicago. It took them nearly one year to make they made it through to World’s Fair. After they returned to their to their home country, Ira and Marvin worked as farm workers or dump truck operators. Ira married Trudie Mae Langford in 1935.
Ira was a member of his local National Guard unit in Andalusia in June of 1930, and Marvin joined in 1933. The Guard unit in the local area, known as the 117th Field Artillery Battalion was activated and transferred into Camp Blanding, Florida, for training in November of 1940. This 117th FAB became a part of the 31st Infantry Division, called the “Dixie Division”because it was mostly composed of people from various states in the south.
The 117th FAB was involved in field operations during the war in Louisiana in Louisiana and South Carolina before being divided in 1942. The 117th FAB was designated to be the 933rd FAB, and moved into North Africa. Marvin and Ira were within Battery B in the 117th FAB and were transferred to Fort Hood, Texas, together with the rest from the 31st Infantry Division.
When they were at Fort Hood, Ira and Marvin’s mom, as well as Miss Mozelle Merrill came over to visit. Marvin as well as Mozelle were married in March 1942.
The 31st Infantry Division was deployed from Fort Hood and arrived in Oro Bay, New Guinea during April of 1944. General Douglas MacArthur had devised a strategy to avoid Japanese strongholds through numerous landings on the coastline of New Guinea. The 117th was to follow the landing of troops on beaches and establish support artillery fire once they had landed.
Ira And Marvin’s Battery A fired the 105mm Howitzer. They were involved in five land-based operations during the war in New Guinea. They would sometimes position their guns near on the beach, they needed to move the gun back after each shot because the carriage of the gun had been moved by waves.
One of the landing areas located in New Guinea, Marvin’s firing location was right near an area for landing B-25 bombers. It was reported that the Army Air Corps was short of machine gunners 50-caliber and needed volunteers with the required qualifications. Marvin was a qualified gunner and offered to volunteer. He flew in 10 missions on the B-25. After the final mission the volunteers were rewarded with the opportunity to travel to Australia to enjoy an afternoon of R & R. After they landed in Australia the pilot informed the passengers that someone would return to pick them up, but was not certain of the exact date. Marvin and the other volunteers refused to get off the plane, and instead returned back to New Guinea. They were worried that they would be moved and that they could be split. Marvin was not keen to remain separated from his twin brother or his group.
The 31st Infantry Division invaded the island of Morotai in September 1944. The 117th accompanied the infantry and offered artillery support. The division also took on smaller islands like those of the Asia Islands; Sansapor, an island belonging to Dutch New Guinea; and Mapia Atoll, part of the Freewill Islands. They faced only a little resistance due to the fact that the Japanese had forced the evacuation of most of the islands of the region.
In April 1945 In April 1945, The 31st Division took part in the liberation of the Philippines by advancing on Mindanao. The 117th was with the infantry as they battled their way across to the Sayre Highway and down the Kibawe-Talomo Trail. The division battled through mud that was knee-deep caused by the torrential rains. At the time Ira and Marvin arrived at Mindanao, Ira had been named the First Sergeant for Battery B.
With the consent of the Battery Commander the Hammett brothers swapped roles every couple of weeks. Whoever was the First Sergeant was responsible for the operation of Battery B. another was in charge that of the Sergeant in Charge who was accountable for firing the guns.
After the war was over, each of the Hammett brothers returned to their homes. Both had been given their respective medals: the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star as well as The Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the American Defense Services Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.
Marvin was a caretaker at the regional National Guard Armory in Andalusia. He was performing a dance in the armory at the time his son Seth was born.
Ira bought a farm next to his parents. He also row-cropped peanuts, cotton, and corn. He also developed a massive cattle herd and had poultry houses. Ira continued to be part of his local Alabama National Guard unit until 1965.
The year was 1950. Marvin became active again and transferred back to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. His family was housed at Fort Jackson during the single year that he was there. After being discharged in active duty, the soldier came back home and joined Watson Drilling Company. He purchased the company after a year and rebranded the company Hammett Drilling Company. He eventually sold a half of his stake in the company to Richard Hammett in the 1970s. He then sold the rest of his stake the to Richard Hammett and Matthew Hammett in 1999.
Marvin continued to serve in his position in the Alabama National Guard until he reached the age of retirement of 60. He retired at the rank that a Command Sergeant Major. Son, Seth, recalled his dad’s Monday night drills on his single weekend per month for training in Fort Rucker and his two-week summer camps at Fort Shelby, Mississippi. Seth told me that his dad was a huge fan of the Army. Seth once questioned his father why he didn’t pursue an army career. Army. His father replied, “I couldn’t make that choice and still reside within Rose Hill.”
Ira Richard Hammett died March 13, 1991. The funeral was held at the Foreman Funeral Chapel with burial with full military honours at Macedonia Cemetery in the Rose Hill community. He is survived by one sister, Susan Clyde Hammett Straughn his sister, Marvin Eugene Hammett; two daughters, Linda Hammett and Josephine Hammett Ray as well as two sons: Billy Hugh Hammett and Richard Hammett; and one grandchild, Richard Matthew Hammett.
Marvin Eugene Hammett died October 7, 2010. The funeral took place at the Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with burial and military honors on the Macedonia Cemetery in the Rose Hill community. He is left behind by his beloved wife Mozelle Hammett as well as the son Seth Merrill [Nancy] Hammett Two daughters Carolyn Hammett [Rayford] Davis, Joan Hammett [RexRussell and Joan Hammett [Rex Russell and grandkids, Terri Davis Wilson Dwain Merrill Davis, Debbie Davis Posey, Jo Lynn Cox, Seth Merrill Hammett, Jr. and Catherine Carmack Hammett; and seven great-grandchildren.
John Vick John Vick
Author would like to acknowledge Seth Hammett and Matthew Hammett for their assistance in sharing the Hammett brothers’ tale.
{Sources: Wikipedia, The Encyclopedia of Alabama[ ]
The post The post COLUMN Two Brothers from The Greatest Generation: Ira R. Hammett Chief Sergeant U.S. Army, WWII, Marvin E. Hammett command Sergeant Major U.S. Army, WWII was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
