About
World War II (1939-1945)
Orson Smith Hammond was born in Winnetka, Cook County, Illinois, on May 8, 1912. While growing up, he moved around to various locations in Downstate New York. In 1920, he lived in Garden City, Nassau County; in 1925, he was in Hempstead, Nassau County; in 1930, he resided in Manhattan; and by 1940, he was living in New York City. Orson likely spent some time in Connecticut since he graduated from Kent High School located there. Additionally, he spent time in Schenectady because his wife, Kitty, was from that area. Before entering the military, he worked as a real estate broker.
In January 1942, Orson enlisted in the United States Army. He completed officer candidate school at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was a first lieutenant serving in the Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division. On November 11, 1944, Orson was killed in battle in France. He is buried in the Forest Dale Cemetery in New York.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry