On Mother’s Day weekend in 1943, Norwood paid tribute to one of its earliest World War II heroes, Rudolph Ballough, through two solemn and deeply symbolic ceremonies led by his sister, Mrs. Louis King of Philbrick Street.
At the invitation of Rear Admiral R. A. Theobald—acting under the authority of Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox—Mrs. King was selected to sponsor the launching of Sub Chaser PC‑1273 at the Quincy‑Adams Yacht Yard on May 8, 1943. The honor reflected both her brother’s sacrifice and the town’s pride in his service.
The following day, May 9th at 2 p.m., she would stand again before the community to unveil Norwood’s Honor Roll, a newly erected board on the Town Square listing the names of 1,400 servicemen. Additional names would continue to be added as more Norwood residents entered the armed forces.
Rudolph Ballough’s Service
Ballough served twelve years in the U.S. Navy and belonged to the famed MTB boat squadron that fought in the early Pacific campaigns around the Philippines. His squadron was later chronicled by W. L. White in They Were Expendable, where Ballough’s name appears alongside his Norwood address. The unit’s commander was Lieutenant Commander John D. Bulkeley, one of the war’s most celebrated PT‑boat leaders.
Ballough’s death marked Norwood’s first WWII casualty, and the twin honors bestowed upon his sister that weekend reflected the town’s enduring respect for his courage and sacrifice.
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Norwood’s WWII Gold Star Veterans
WILLIAM T. ALLARDNAIMI BADERRUDOLPH BALLOUGHEDMOND BOCHANOWICZFRANCIS G. BOWLESSTEPHEN D. BUCKUSMERRILL CONRADLESTER A COPELANDPATRICK J. COSTELLOPAUL A. COUGHLINCOLEMAN J.COYNE, JR.JOHN E. CURRANFREDERICK I DEEBGEORGE DEEBJOSEPH F. DENNEHYTHOMAS ELIASSANTINO FERRARADAVID FITTSTHOMAS J. FOLEYOTTIE L. FRENCHMORRIS E. GALLANTALGERT GOBARAYMOND F. GREENEDONALD GRIFFITHSEDWARD R. GROHJOSEPH N. A. GRUGNALEROBERT HAGGEDWARD EF. HAYESMERTON E. HAYNESROY A. HILLWITOLD C. JUSKIEWICZWILLIAM H. KALER,…
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Roll of Honor
OLD PARISH CEMETERY Colonial Wars Capt. William Bacon Rev. Thomas Balch William Ellis Revolutionary War William Comey Benjamin Dean Jonathan Dean William Dean Oliver Ellis Capt. Abel Everett Asa EverettCapt. William Everett Capt. David Fairbanks William Fairbanks Liet. Eliphalet Fales Amasa Farrington Eliphalet Fisher Maj. Aaron Guild Aaron Guild, Jr. Jacob Guild Joel Guild Moses…
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Honoring Norwood’s Veterans
Norwood has a long history of proud military service, going back as far as the Colonial Wars, and the town and townspeople have done an excellent job of paying tribute to those veterans throughout the years. Downtown Norwood Located in the center of town is the Norwood Municipal Memorial Building, also known as the Town…
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Ray Martin; Norwood Star Pitched to Babe Ruth, Played for Boston Braves-This Day In Norwood History-March 15, 2013
In 1943, Norwood High School senior Ray Martin pitched his team to the state baseball championship and signed a professional contract with the Boston Braves, with whom he made his Major League debut. Later that summer, the tall, 18-year-old righthander faced retired slugger Babe Ruth in an exhibition game at Braves Field to benefit the…
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Veterans Monument Dedicated-This Day in Norwood History- September 15, 1991
The Norwood Veterans Monument Committee is holding a dedication ceremony for the monument today at noon. The theme of the 20-foot high “Protectors of the American Way” monument depicts our military guarding the American family. The monument will be unveiled on the comer of Washington and Nahatan streets, across from the Norwood Town Hall. Discover…
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Nahatan St Bridge Dedicated to George T Lee-This Day in Norwood History-September 27, 1988
Thousands of motorists who drive over the Nahatan Street bridge will now be paying honor to Norwood’s most decorated war hero. The bridge was dedicated Sunday with a bronze plaque identifying it as a memorial to George T. Lee. Before his death in 1954, the Norwood airman had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; the…
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John Abdallah Dies In Parade At Norwood-This Day In Norwood History-November 11, 1968
John Abdallah Dies In Parade At Norwood This Day In Norwood History-November 11, 1968
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Lincoln D. Lynch, former Principal and Superintendent, Dead at 66-This Day In Norwood History-January 28, 1967
NORWOOD — Lincoln D. Lynch, superintendent of schools here for 24 years, died Saturday in Massachusetts General Hospital. Mr. Lynch, 66, had lived on Old Chatham rd., Dennis, since retirement in 1960. He was born in Weymouth and educated at Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Columbia. He was named assistant principal of Norwood High…
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Post 70 Honors “Ole” Jacobsen-This Day In Norwood History-October 2, 1965
“OLE” JACOBSEN, former Norwood strongman and wrestler, who has been presented the Award of Merit by Norwood Post 70 of the American Legion. (Photo by Larry White) “Ole” Jacobsen, Norwood strongman and well-known wrestler of the twenties, was honored recently by Norwood Post 70 of the American Legion at the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea. A…
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Vets Fund Committee Agrees To Memorial-This Day in Norwood History-January 5, 1961
For the first time since the establishment of the Servicemens’ Fund Committee here fifteen years ago, total agreement on the disposition of the $90,000 now available, has been reached. The General Committee Wednesday voted 15-6 in favor of turning the fund over to the Town for the construction of a Memorial Building opposite Star Market.…
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