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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SSgt. Dominic Gemelli Awarded 2nd Battle Star-This Day in Norwood History-December 5, 1944
15TH AAF IN ITALY .. Ssgt Dominic Gemelli, 24. of 284 Lenox street. Norwood, aerial gunner, has been awarded the second battle star, according to an announcement by the 15th AAF in Italy. He received the award as a member of a veteran 15th AAF Liberator Bomber group which has flown numerous bombing missions in…
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Pfc. Angelo Antonelli And Pfc. Charles Henry Wounded-This Day in Norwood History-December 5, 1944
Norwood’s list of war casualties mounted higher today when it was learned that two more local servicemen have been wounded in action in France, both seriously. They are Pfc. Charles Robert Henry and Pfc. Angelo Antonelli. WITH RANGERS Mrs. David Henry of Prospect avenue reported today that she received a War Department telegram Sunday informing…
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Thomas Connelly To Appear On ’Double Or Nothing’-This Day in Norwood History-December 5, 1944
Readville Car Shops To Be Scene Of Popular Radio Show On Friday Thomas Connelly of 285 Nahatan street. Norwood, carpenter and carman, will be in the radio spotlight as one of the contestants when the metallic din. of the New Haven railroad’s huge locomotive shop at Readville is hushed long enough on Friday. December 8,…
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Pfc. Russell Webber in Hospital At San Diego-This Day in Norwood History-December 4, 1944
Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Webber of 906 Washington street, Norwood, have received word from their son. Pfc. Russell H. Webber, a fleet Marine who was wounded in the Palau invasion, that he is back in the States and is now confined to a hospital in San Diego. Cal. He writes that he hopes to be…
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Pvt. James Keady Listed Missing; Pfc. William Fitzgerald, Pfc. Robert Flaherty Reported Wounded-This Day in Norwood History-December 4, 1944
One Norwood man is missing in action in France and two more have been wounded in that theatre, one seriously, according to War Department telegrams received by their families 1 over the weekend. They are: Pvt. James Kcady of 35 Mountain Avenue, missing in action. Pfc. William J. Fitzgerald of 260 Lenox Street, seriously wounded.…
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Pvt. Charles F. Lydon Loses Life November 11-This Day in Norwood History-November 28, 1944
Norwood Army Engineer In Service Less Than Year; Fought On D-Day Pvt. Charles Frances Lydon, 25, of 24 Cottage street, Norwood, was killed in action in France on November 11th, it was reported by the War Department in a telegram received yesterday afternoon by his wife, Mrs. Agnes Lydon. He is the third Norwood man…
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Lt. Edmund Mulvehill Stationed In Atlantic City-This Day in Norwood History-November 27, 1944
ATLANTIC CITY, N. J.. Nov. 27 —A veteran of 31 missions as a Flying Fortress pilot with the 8th Air Force in England. First Lieutenant Edmund W. Mulvehill. of 23 Cottage street, Norwood, is now assigned to the AAF Redistribution Station here as an interviewing officer. In his new position, Lt. Mulvehill will interview other…
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Sst. Joseph Rukstalis Playing Vital Ordnance Role-This Day in Norwood History-November 27, 1944
SIXTH ARMY GROUP. France — Keeping in running order the hundreds of jeeps, sedans, trucks and other vehicles used by Sixth Army Group headquarters — under which are the American Seventh and French First Armies — in France is the task of an ordnance maintenance platoon. Among the soldiers in this platoon is Sst. Joseph…
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Pfc. William H. Kaler, Pfc. Michael Joseph Wallace Lose Lives; Pvt. Peter Lydon Wounded-This Day in Norwood History-November 27, 1944
Two more Norwood men have been killed in action and a third seriously wounded, according to reports received from the War Department by their next of kin. They are: Pfc. William H. Kaler, Jr., 278 Dean Street, killed in action in France November 7th. Pfc. Michael Joseph Wallace, 317 Nahatan Street, killed in action in…
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Veterans Not Interested In Central Headquarters-This Day in Norwood History-November 22, 1944
Representatives of the Norwood Legion Post and the Veterans of Foreign Wars reported back to the Norwood Selectmen last night, informing the Board that neither organization was interested in proposed quarters in a location next to the Municipal Building on Washington street. The Selectmen, several weeks ago. called in the veterans organization representatives to ask…
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