John Henry Hammons was born at Oliver Springs, Tennessee, the son of George Thomas Hammons and Flora Mae Finger. From the age of two and up until he enlisted in the US Army on November 6, 1941 at Fort Oglethorpe in Georgia, he lived with his Aunt Martha and Uncle William Willocks, in Blount County, Tennessee. He worked at Walker’s Store prior to his enlistment. Killed in action in Italy in December 1944, his remains were returned to the United States aboard the US Army Transport Lawrence Victory in November of 1948.
The Maryville Enterprise, November 24, 1948
Pvt. John H. Hammons, age 24, was killed December 26, 1944 in Northern Italy. He was serving with the 361st Infantry Division Medical Department. He made his home with his aunt, Mrs. W. E. Willocks, since he was two years old. Survivors include his father, George Hammons, Maryville; three sisters, Mrs. Otto Russell, Mrs. Lee Rogers and Miss Dorothy Hammons, all of Maryville; three brothers, James, Robert of Maryville, and Bill of Harriman; three aunts, Mrs. W. E. Willocks, Mrs. Della Gideon, and Mrs. McKinley Brewer; and uncle, Frank Finger, all of Maryville.
The body will arrive in Maryville Friday afternoon and will be taken to McCammon-Ammons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Sunday afternoon at 3:30 at Carpenter’s Campground Methodist Church. VFW Post 5154 will have charge of services at the grave.
- Rank: Private
- Date of birth: 22 May 1920
- Date of death: 26 December 1944
- County: Blount
- Hometown: Maryville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 361st Infantry Regiment, 977th Field Artillery Battalion
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Carpenters Camp Ground, Maryville, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VI, Bottom Panel
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