Verona Residence:37 Upland Way
Cited by De Gaulle Four Essex County pilots were among a group of airmen in the Mediterranean theater to be cited by General Charles de Gaulle and the Provisional French Government, according to a release from a 12th Army Air Force B-26 Marauder bomber group.Commended for "outstanding achievement during April, May and June when the 12th AAF flew important missions over Italy," the pilots are 1st Lt. James Ayre of Bloomfield; 1st Lt. Robert Borden, Jr. of Montclair; 1st Lt. Richard Dodelin of Glen Ridge; and Capt. David Hammond of 37 Upland Way, Verona. They participated in raids in direct support of the French forces.During the three months when his group flew 2,000 sorties and dropped over 3,000 tons of bombs with a loss of only six planes, Capt. Hammond was a flight leader. He enlisted in the Army in December, 1941, and has been overseas since May.
Newark Evening News September 27, 1944
Essex Pilot Listed As Missing in Italy
Capt. David Q. Hammond Jr., Marauder pilot who received a citation from Gen. De Gaulle last Fall, has been reported missing in action over Italy since November 7, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Sarah Underwood Hammond of 37 Upland Way, Verona.Capt. Hammond enlisted in the AAF in December, 1941, and had been overseas the last eight months. Operations officer of his squadron, he had completed 35 missions and held the Air Medal. He was one of a group of airmen cited by Gen. De Gaulle and the Provisional French Government last September for "outstanding achievement" in missions over Italy.A graduate of Montclair Academy, Capt. Hammond was employed by a New York insurance company before entering service. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hammond, Sr.,formerly of East Orange, who now live in Stockbridge, Mass. His brother-in-law, 1st Lt. Walter B. Underwood Jr., AAF pilot, is home on leave from India.
Newark Evening News December 16, 1944
David Q. Hammond, Jr.
ID: O-791206
Entered the Service From: New Jersey
Rank: Captain
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 444th Bomber Squadron, 320th Bomber Group, Medium
Died: Wednesday, November 08, 1944
Buried at: Florence American Cemetery
Location: Via Cassia, Italy Plot: F Row: 14 Grave: 8
Awards: Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
Webpage that describes the crash of Captain Hammond’s Plane the Cindy II
From The Class of 1938Montclair Academy Yearbook
Purple Heart
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Verona Heroes 
Thanks for putting my Uncle’s page up. Makes my family very happy. David’s little sister, Eleanor is still with us and still misses him greatly.
Thanks again.
David H. McDowell
I visited his grave today with my wife. I went through hundreds of graves by walking through them. I took 2 photos for later google search. Other one was the grave of Mr. Hammond. It is confusing to think how brave these young men were. How they performed their given missions with the near presence of death. I truely respect them. It was touching to see Mr. Hammonds 18th year picture. Yougn man full of energy.
Although his life was not that long, he had time to go through an adventure. I do not mean adventure in its nicest meaning, but just wanted to point out he experienced amazing journey, something that very few will ever experience?
My grantfather was in wwII vs russia 5 years. He passed year ago.
I wish you all the best and happy new year!
T. Hemmilä (Finland)
05.25.2015
Dear T. Hemmilä,
Thanks so much for taking time to find my Uncle Dave’s grave marker taking photos. This means a great deal to our family. I have copied the photos to show our Mother. I think I can speak for her and say that words just can’t thanks you enough.
They were just young boys who became brave men so quickly. Our Father served as well.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
David H. McDowell
ps; Sorry for the delay in responding, just seeing this today.
I would like to enter in contact to you, Mr David. I am the Italian researcher who provided the pics shown above. Thanks in advance. Angelo Baroni