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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Woman Slugged, Robbed-This Day in Norwood History-October 9, 1940
Mrs. Julia Sweeney Attacked In Cellar Of V.F.W. Building
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Tales of Tyot-The Christmas Heart of Tiot
o—0—o Hanging A Holly Wreath Of Memories Around Tiot’s Village Hall And Square. A Merry Christmas At “The Hook” To Old And New Timers From Author In the summer of 1915 they cut the heart out of Tiot, threw it on the railroad embankment like a dead cat, and put In a new heart, in…
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Frank G. Allen Jr Faces Cameramen With Father And Mother On Day He Is Two Months Old-This Day In Norwood History-January 9, 1929
“WHAT DID I TELL YOU?” ASKS GOVERNOR’S BABY, “HERE I AM” FIRST PICTURE OF GOV ALLEN’S BABY NORWOOD. Jan 9 – “What did I tell you?” chortled Frank Gilman Allen Jr, son of Gov and Mrs. Allen this morning, speaking to the Globe, face to face, instead of broadcasting as he did two days ago…
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Norwood Will Dedicate Memorial Building Tomorrow-This Day In Norwood History-November 10, 1928
Norwood Will Dedicate Memorial Building Tomorrow-This Day In Norwood History-November 10, 1928
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Seeking More Funds For Norwood Memorial Building-This Day In Norwood History-June 14, 1927
NORWOOD, June 14-The largest turnout of the season Is expected at the special town meeting to be held tomorrow evening starting at 8 o’clock in Everett Hall to hear and act on the report of the Memorial Municipal Building committee and to appropriate sufficient additional amount of money so that the committee can go ahead…
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Ora Holman Helped Hunt Down John Wilkes Booth, Turns 91-This Day In Norwood History-May 30, 1922
A legendary local patriot celebrates a milestone. At 91 years old, Walpole Street resident Ora Holman stands as Norwood’s oldest Civil War veteran, carrying a thrilling personal history that includes riding 100 miles through the night in the urgent pursuit of Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth.
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Norwood To Erect World War Veterans Memorial-This Day In Norwood History-December 15, 1920
The committee appointed to bring in recommendations for a suitable memorial for the soldiers and sailors of the World War reported at the special town meeting in Everett Hall last night. The recommendation adopted includes the erection of a building for town purposes, with rooms for the town officers, the construction to be deferred until…
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Norwood Residents Have Been in Notable Armies and Have Been in Some Famous Battles-This Day in Norwood History- August 10, 1913
This Day in Norwood History- August 10, 1913-Norwood Residents Have Been in Notable Armies and Have Been in Some Famous Battles.
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Norwood Residents Have Been in Notable Armies and Have Been in Some Famous Battles-This Day in Norwood History-August 10, 1913
SERVED UNDER BRITISH The recent article in the Globe about the German veteran soldiers in Norwood brought out the fact that there are several veteran soldiers in Norwood who have served under the British flag, some of them in notable armies and battles. First in point of time comes Edmund E. Elston, who joined the…
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Norwood Veteran Laurenz Kuld Turns 86-This Day in Norwood History-August 3, 1913
Norwood Veteran Is One of Several Townsmen Who Fought in the German Wars. NORWOOD, Aug 3 — Laurenz Kuld, the oldest German-born resident of Norwood, celebrated his 86th birthday Saturday. He received the congratulations of many friends. Mr Kuld was one of those Germans who came to this country as a result of the revolutionary…
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