- Rank: FLDMUS
- Branch:
- Home Town:
- Date Of Birth: Oct. 14, 1922
- Disposition:
- Family DNA on File:
FLDMUS Don Edgar Hamel
Don Edgar Hamel, born Oct. 14, 1922, was a Marine Reserve field musician on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.
Mr. Hamel identified himself as a student when he enlisted in Chicago on March 12, 1941.
He was born in Chicago, but by 1930 lived in Massillon, Ohio, with his grandmother, Sylvia Hesse. He attended Horace Mann, Longfellow, and Washington schools in Massillon.
He returned to Chicago about 1939 with his mother, Lucille Hesse Novak. Marine records do not name his father.
An uncle, George Hesse, served in World War I. Another uncle, Wilbur Hesse, enlisted in the Navy the same month Don was killed at Pearl Harbor. He served until February 1946.
Sources: The Evening Independent of Massillon, Ohio; The Plain Dealer of Cleveland; Ohio Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in World War 1917-1918; Census; Marine enlistment records and muster rolls. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.
NOTE: If you are a family member related to this crew member of the U.S.S. Arizona, or have additional information, pictures or documents to share about his life or service to our county please contact us through our FAMILY MEMBER SUBMISSION FORM.