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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 enlisted in Chicago on March 12, 1941. He had moved to Chicago about 1939 with his mother, Lucille Hesse Hamel. Before that he lived in Massillon, Ohio where he attended Horace Mann, Longfellow, and Washington schools.
His grandmother, Sylvia Hesse, received official word of his death on the same day in February 1942 that she received a note from one of her sons, Wilbur, that he was safe. He served in the Navy.
Two other uncles, George Hesse and Albert Hesse Jr., served in World War I.
Sources: The Evening Independent of Massillon, Ohio; Ohio Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in World War 1917-1918; Census; Marine 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.