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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Architect’s Drawing of Washington Heights Proposal-This Day in Norwood History-October 9, 1949
Architect’s Drawing of Washington Heights Proposal-This Day in Norwood History-October 9, 1949
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Remains of Three More Local War Heroes En Route Home-This Day In Norwood History-February 4, 1949
Albert J. Goba, Joseph A. O’Loughlin And Hugh A. Donnelly Returned From Overseas Among the remains of 5205 Americans who lost their lives during World War II and have been returned to the United States from the Mediterranean Area aboard the United States Army Transport Corporal Eric G. Gibson, are the bodies of three local…
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Robert C Briggs Commissioned In Army Corps of Engineers Reserve-This Day in Norwood History-January 6, 1949
Robert C Briggs of 471 Nahoton street, Norwood, has been commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Engineers Reserve and has been ordered to active duty at Fort Belvoir, Virginia for o special basic course. He is a veteran of two years in the Coast Guard, two and a half years in the Navy Air…
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Court Orders Grow Family To Vacate VFW-This Day In Norwood History-August 27, 1948
All order to vacate within two weeks or face a jail sentence for contempt of court was handed down in Dedham District Court Saturday by Judge Gilbert U Cox to Donald Grow, 27 wounded Manne veteran who has made his home with his wife and three mung children in the VFW Headquarters on Railroad avenue…
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Norwood Hero Corporal Joseph N. A. Grugnale Buried-This Day In Norwood History-August 13, 1948
This Day In Norwood History-August 13, 1948-Norwood Hero Corporal Joseph N. A. Grugnale Buried
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Trailerites Steven & Minnie Laraway Realize Their Dream of Ideal Existence-This Day in Norwood History-February 12, 1948
Laraways Have More Money And Time Since Buying Movable Home Mr. and .Mrs. Steven L. Laraway, their 16-year-old daughter, Estelle, and the family cat, Minnie, live on the corner of Sumner street and the Providence Highway. Norwood. Like everyone else in the world, they have always had dreams of an ideal existence. Unlike the majority…
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Citizens of Tomorrow-This Day in Norwood History-February 3, 1948
Tod row, left to right: 6-month-old Patricia Sheehan of 401 Nahatan street; five-month-old Patrick Burke of 24 Oolah avenue, and four-month-old Robert Simoni of 172 Neponset street. Bottom row, left to right: Paula Alexander, four months old, of 78 Cottage street; E. Theodore Llynarski of 89 Winfield street, five months old, and t.ve- month-old Richard…
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Plans Speeded Up For Construction Of Vets’ Memorial-This Day in Norwood History-January 29, 1948
To Be Developed With Eye To Future Construction Of Recreation Center William L. Hyland, chairman of the Norwood Servicemen’s Building Committee, accompanied by committee members Irving Berkland, Edward F. Farmer, Howard M. Horton, and Ernest F. Zinkowski, appeared before the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night with three requests which would not only get the veterans…
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Farnham’s Music Shop Sells, Rents Musical Instruments-This Day in Norwood History-January 21, 1948
Farnham’s Music Shop at 861 Washington Street, is open daily, except Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Owned and managed by George H. Farnham. Jr., the shop has been in operation since last June. Mr. Farnham. a Navy veteran of 3 1/2 years service, was a musician in Navy Bands and after his separation…
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Norwood Salvage Has Large Stock Of Merchandise-This Day in Norwood History-January 13, 1948
Antique Collector’s paradise, is a good way to describe the Norwood Salvage Company. Inside view shows just about everything under the sun to be bought or repaired. (Staff Photo by Lou Cibotti) No matter what it is you’re looking for you’ll find just what you need at the Norwood Salvage Company, 1199 Washington street, South…
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