Once a Marine; Always a Marine

Robert Russell Hammond, my “Uncle Bobby” was the son of  a U.S. Army Calvary “Buffalo Soldier.” Uncle Bobby entered the U.S. Marine Corps as one of nearly 20,0000 African-Americans who broke the color barrier during World War II. His boot camp was at MonfortPoint Camp, Jacksonville, North Carolina.  By May 1943 Bobby found himself in action in the Pacific until the war’s end when he returned to civilian life.  However, in 1948 Bobby was called back to active duty for the United Nations peacekeeping action known as the Korean War.  

After Korea he continued his military career  by engaging in three combat tours in Vietnam.  Bobby retired from active duty in August of 1975 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps. In June 2012, Master Gunnery Sergeant/Sergeant Major Robert R. Hammond received the Congressional Gold Medal.  Uncle Bobby passed away on May 26, 2016 and was buried with full military honors (including a 21 gun salute) at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, Maryland. 

Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful. The U.S. Marine Corps’ motto sums up the life of Robert Russell Hammond, my “Uncle Bobby” and all Marines who make the commitment on  a daily basis to protect our country by land, sea and air.

Once a Marine, Always a Marine. Uncle Bobby in Vietnam 2^nd from left