Ralph Regis Giles - Missing at Sea

Ralph Regis Giles known as "Reggie" was born in Nashua, NH on December 11, 1932 to Ralph and Alice (Hurley) Giles and grew up at 44 Royalston Avenue in the Highlands section of Lowell. He graduated from Keith Academy class of 1950. He played football and baseball at Keith and was an accomplished singer.

On March 20, 1951 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Apprentice. He completed his training in Newport, R.I. and was assigned to the USS Hyman (DD-32) during the Korean War. On November 29, 1951 he was on duty preparing lines for refueling when he was swept overboard in stormy seas near Wonsan Harbor in North Korea. Five men were swept overboard and only three bodies were recovered.  Reggie was only 18 years old.

His body has not been found. He is remembered by a cenotaph in the Rock Garden at St. Patrick's Cemetery.

Reggie was survived by his parents, brothers Gerald and James and sister Marilyn. His siblings have provided DNA samples to the Defense POW/MIA Personnel Office hoping someday he can come home to his family. Lowell still remembers and hopes his family can bring him home wherever that may be.

Lieutenant Commander Richard Swan Baron

Photo from "Lucky Bag" Class of 1924 US Naval Academy at Annapolis

Richard Swan Baron was born in Lowell, MA January 22, 1901 to Charles and Mary Louise (Swan) Baron and grew up at 88 Eleventh Avenue in the Centralville section. He graduated from Lowell High School and was appointed to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis just like his father. He had a twin sister Gwendolyn, brother Gerald and sister Natalie. The family also had a summer home on Baker's Island in Salem, MA.

Richard's mother was the great grand daughter of Robert Swan of Peterborough, NH and a member of the Daughters of the Revolution (55251). Robert Swan fought at Ticonderoga with Captain Joseph Parker's company. Richard's parents are buried in the Lowell Cemetery.

He rose to the rank of Lieutenant  Commander while serving in China and the Philippines. Right after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor they attacked the Philippines. General McArthur and American forces had been there for about three years. They were unprepared for the attack. Lieutenant  Commander Richard Swan Baron was in Cavite during the initial attack and was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions entering a burning building at grave danger to himself to retrieve important military documents. The Navy Cross is the second highest Navy military honor, second only to the Medal of Honor.

The Lieutenant Commander was killed in action on March 15, 1942 by the Japanese invasion in Cebu. He was survived by his wife Anne Baron, his mother, his siblings and three young daughters; Mary Louise, Ann and Gerald. In his memory the US Navy had a Destroyer Escort ship named in his memory. The USS Baron DE-166 was christened in New Jersey May 9, 1943 and saw wartime service.

Lieutenant Commander Richard Swan Baron is buried in the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. This cemetery, covering 152 acres, maintained by the American Battle Monument Commission, contains 17,206 American burials and  3,744 unknown burials. The cemetery contains the largest number of graves of any U.S. personnel killed during World War Two.

He never came home. We must not forget Lowell native Richard Swan Baron who paid the ultimate sacrifice so far from home.

American Revolutionary War Hero - Benjamin Pierce

Benjamin Pierce was born in East Chelmsford, Massachusetts (now Lowell) on Christmas Day 1757 to Benjamin and Elizabeth (Merrill) Pierce. The house no longer exists but it would be near the intersection of Jenness and Chelmsford streets. Benjamin's father died when he was six and he was taken care of by his uncle Stephen Pierce who was married to Bessie Bowers. His mother remarried Oliver Bowers. He attended a little red school house at School and Westford streets.

Governor Benjamin Pierce
Portrait in NH State House, Concord, NH

Benjamin was 18 years old and plowing his uncle's land near the intersection of Powell and B streets on April 19, 1775 when word arrived via courier that shots were fired in Lexington and Concord . He hitched his steers to a tree stump, unhooked the plow and grabbed his uncle's gun, some supplies and headed to Concord. By the time he arrived on foot they were gone and he made his way to Cambridge. He enlisted in the Army and fought at Bunker Hill.

From a letter of Benjamin Pierce of Ford's Company, later of Hillsborough, N.H.: "I went into the Hill about 11 o'clock, A.M. When I arrived at the summit of bunker's Hill I saw two pieces of cannon there standing, with two or three soldiers by them, who observed they belonged to Capt. Callender's Company, and that the Captain and his officers were cowards and had run away. Gen. Putnam there sat upon a horse * * * * and requested our company, which was commanded by Capt Ford, of Chelmsford, Mass., to take these pieces and draw them down. Our men utterly refused, and said they had no knowledge of the use of artillery, and they were ready to fight with their own arms. Capt. Ford then addressed his company in a very animated, patriotic and brave strain, which is characteristic of the man. The company then seized the drag-ropes and drew them to the rail fence about half the distance from the redoubt on Breed's Hill to Mystic River." - "The History of Chelmsford"  by Wilson Waters

Benjamin Pierce stayed in service until the end of the war in 1784. After Bunker Hill, he spent the rest of the war in Colonel Brook's regiment. He participated in campaigns in New York and wintered with Washington's army at Valley Forge. He held the ranks of common soldier, corporal, sergeant, ensign and lieutenant. He stayed in the army until they disbanded at West Point. He stayed in service attaining the rank of Brigadier General back home.

At the end of the war he returned to Chelmsford to live at the corner of Chelmsford and Midland streets. He had been gone for nine years. He earned $200 for his service and went north to the wilderness of Hillsborough, New Hampshire where he purchased 50 acres of land with a log hut for $150. He went to work clearing the land. He married Elizabeth Andrews who gave birth to his daughter Elizabeth but his wife died four days later from complications from childbirth. Alone with a baby, Benjamin soon remarried Anna Kendrick of Amherst, NH. They would have 8 more children. Later he would purchase 200 more acres and built a mansion and tavern. It is a museum today as part of the Hillsborough Historical Society.

Courtesy - Library of Congress

Benjamin Pierce was very active in civic affairs. He held many offices and was elected Governor of the state of New Hampshire for two terms in 1827 and 1829. His last official act was to cast an electoral vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832. He was an original member of the Society of Cincinnati. He died in Hillsborough, NH on April 1, 1839.

He visited Lowell many times during his life maintaining his family ties. As did his son, Franklin Pierce the fourteenth President of the United States. Franklin Pierce's wife was also related to Nathan Appleton.

Benjamin Pierce was a great statesman and patriot with Lowell roots. His father and grandfather both lived and died here. The Pierce family, sold land in 1833 to the City of Lowell for the poor farm. This land is where Lowe's is located today.

Red Sox Win World Series at Fenway Park

Yes, they won last night but this story is about 1918. On September 11, 1918 the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 in the sixth game of the World Series. The world was at war. Baseball was not a big deal.

 Mrs. Walter Marr finally learned that her husband had died July 22nd in France. He was killed in action near Tugny Woods. She hadn't heard from him in months and had been contacting the army in vain to learn what had happened to him. She feared the worst.

Walter Marr was born in 1884 in Lowell to Lawrence and Mary (Brennan) Marr. He married Mary Quinn and had three children; Leonard, Virginia and Marion. The family lived at 24 Smith Street. Walter reported for duty April 1, 1917 and went overseas September 16, 1917. He was a member of Company I, 102nd CT Infantry Regiment. He was killed in action July 23, 1918 near Trugny Wood in France.

Walter was a great amateur baseball player in Lowell. In the army he became a grenade thrower. His baseball experience helped him but this was dangerous duty. He came from a family of service. Three uncles served in the Civil War and two of them lost their lives during the war.

Walter's body was returned to the United States in 1921 for burial at St. Patrick's Cemetery. We remember the sacrifice that Walter Marr's family has made for us.

Col. Mary A. Hallaren - First Commander of Women's Auxiliary Army Corps

Mary Agnes Hallaren was born in Lowell on May 4, 1907 to John and Mary (Kenney) Hallaren and she had two sisters and three brothers. The family lived on Second Street in the Pawtucketville section of the city. She went to Lowell Teacher's College (now known as UMass Lowell) graduating class of 1927. She taught junior high school in Lexington for fifteen years. Every summer she went on grand adventures all over the world. She did a lot of her traveling by hitchhiking alone as a single woman with no lipstick and lots of walking.

She was one of the first women to enlist in the Woman's Auxiliary Army Corps, the precursor to the Woman's Army Corps (WACs) during World War Two on July 10, 1942.  She was the first officer not in the medical branch. During her recruitment she stood on her tiptoes to make the five foot minimum height requirement. She was actually 4' 10" tall. When the recruiter questioned her size she told him "you don't have to be six feet tall to have a brain that works."

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, NYWT&S Collection.

She was known for her excellent organization skills and command. She was affectionately called "The Little Colonel". She commanded 9,000 women in the European theater. She became the third Director of the WAC in 1947. She served in that capacity through the Korean War and until 1953. She remained in the service until her military retirement in 1960. In 1965 she became the first Executive Director of Women in Community Service in Virginia.

She has received numerous awards, citations, and honors throughout her lifetime. She received the Bronze Star, The Legion of Merit, Croix De Guerre, Legion of Honor, UMass Lowell Distinguished Alumni Award, National Women's Hall of Fame in 1996 and more. She is highlighted in Tom Brokaw's book "The Greatest Generation".

She died February 13, 2005 in McLean, Virginia at the age of 97 and is buried in the family plot at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Lowell, MA. Thank you for your service!

Remembering Bartholomew B. O'Sullivan and the Shenandoah Air Disaster

The United States Navy's first American made Dirigible was the Shenandoah ZR-1. The Shenandoah was 680 feet long and had six 300 HP engines capable of going 60 MPH. It flew on the east coast and was based in Lakehurst, New Jersey. 

Photo Courtesy of Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

On September 2, 1925 she crashed in three pieces after breaking up in heavy winds over Ada, Ohio. Fourteen men of the crew of 42 were killed.  Chief Petty Officer, Bartholomew B. O'Sullivan a nineteen year resident of Lowell, Massachusetts was killed. He was thirty five years old. 

Photo Courtesy of Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

He was born in New York and moved to Andover, Massachusetts as a small child. He graduated from Lawrence High School and Lowell Textile school. He was married to the former Elizabeth Rawley. He left four children; Edward who became Rev. O'Sullivan, OMI of the Immaculate Conception parish, Francis, Bart Jr. and Elizabeth who later married James Dunn. 

His funeral was widely attended at Sacred Heart Church on Moore Street. His flag draped casket was carried on the Battery B caisson. The funeral cortege proceeded for burial at St. Patrick's cemetery on Gorham Street. Planes flew overhead to honor the valiant hero. Thank you.

Lowell's Highest Ranking General - Hoyt S. Vandenberg

The highest ranking General with Lowell roots is Hoyt S. Vandenberg.  He was born Jan 24, 1899 in Milwaukee, WI but spent his childhood years in Lowell.  He attended the Moody Grammar School and graduated from Lowell High School Class of 1917. The Vandenberg Esplinade by the Merrimack River in Lowell was dedicated to him in 1977 by Gov. Dukakis.

After he left Lowell he went to West Point where he graduated 240th in his class of 261. Fortunately, he became an excellent airman. During a time when flying was very dangerous he was a great leader. The men really liked him. He became a 4 star General, Commander of the US Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was the second director of the C.I.A. One of his legacies is that he picked out the blue color of the Air Force uniform with the silver buttons.

In 1948 his wife started "The Arlington Ladies" to honor veterans during the burials at Arlington National Cemetery.  A lady will always be present at each burial so that no soldier dies alone.  It continues to this day.

For his full biography see this link:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/39981102/General-Hoyt-Vandenberg-Biography

Time Magazine Cover January 19, 1945

General Vandenberg is named for Eli W. Hoyt of Hoyt German Cologne fame. His mother's aunt, Mary A. (Ingraham)  was married to Eli W. Hoyt and she lived at 286 Andover Street in the matching house of Eli's best friend Freeman Ballard Shedd. The General had one brother and his name is Aaron Shedd Vandenberg but he went by the name of Shedd.  His middle name is in honor of Elis' best friend, business partner and neighbor Freeman Shedd.

Eli W. Hoyt died in Lowell February 9, 1887 of tuberculosis. His wife remarried Henry Felton in 1891. She continued to live at 286 Andover Street right next to her neighbor Freeman Ballard Shedd until her death in 1908. In 1909 to settle the estate an auction was held and the highest bidder was her niece's husband Collin Vandenberg! The family moved from Milwaukee to relocate to Lowell so that his wife could take care of her ailing mother (Nellie Ingraham Kane). Her mother died in 1910 but the family stayed in Lowell until after both boys graduated from Lowell High School. The house was sold again at auction in 1919 to Dr. Adam E. Shaw.  The doctor lived in the house and used  the carriage house as Shaw's Hospital on East Merrimack Street.

General Vandenberg died shortly after retiring from prostate cancer at Walter Reed Hospital on April 2, 1954 at the age of 55.  President Eisenhower attended his funeral. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery with his wife. More information about his funeral can be found here:  http://www.history.army.mil/books/Last_Salute/Ch10.htm

Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompac, California is named in his honor. His parents are buried in Lowell Cemetery. He is survived by a son, 2 star General Hoyt Vandenberg Jr. and Mrs. Gloria Miller.