Remains of WWII soldier missing for 81 years returned to NH

Lina PortmanMay 30, 2024

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A World War II soldier missing since 1943 has finally returned home to New Hampshire. Army Sgt. Richard Hammond was buried Wednesday in a somber ceremony at Ridge Cemetery in his hometown of Northwood. “It was very rewarding today,” said Rick Seavey, Hammond's nephew. It's been 81 years since Hammond disappeared in North Africa. He was stationed near Tunisia when he was hit by an enemy tank shell during a battle with German forces. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<"Sgt. Hammond was one of the first Americans to encounter the Germans on a battlefield in North Africa," said New Hampshire National Guard Chaplain William Mullins. "It took courage. It took courage. It took training." His remains were in the American military cemetery in Algeria, designated X-5137. “I’ve been very active in trying to identify him,” Seavey said. , Hammond's oldest living relative, said he remembers the call coming from Fort Knox. He learned that new DNA technology could link the remains to his uncle in September. "You can probably think of all kinds of adjectives that fit. Definitely, elation, number one," Seavey said. "The second, which almost equals elation, is appreciation. I didn't know that the army which has the slogan 'No one left behind' was so adamant." “Now, 81 years later, he is X-5137. no longer,” Mullin said. “His name and legacy are restored.” Seavey said the family is now at peace, knowing their loved one is finally back home after being missing for the past eight decades. “We have a wall in Tunisia of all the Americans who are missing,” Sevey said. "And every time we find one, they put a rosette. And Dick, my uncle, was the first to get a rosette." .

NORTHWOOD, New Hampshire —

A World War II soldier missing since 1943 has finally returned home to New Hampshire.

Army Sgt. Richard Hammond was buried Wednesday in a somber ceremony at Ridge Cemetery in his hometown of Northwood.

“It was very rewarding today,” said Rick Seavey, Hammond's nephew.

It's been 81 years since Hammond disappeared in North Africa. He was stationed near Tunisia when he was hit by an enemy tank shell during a battle with German forces.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google game <

“Sgt. Hammond was one of the first Americans to encounter the Germans on a battlefield in North Africa,” said New Hampshire National Guard Chaplain William Mullins. “It took courage. It took courage. It took practice.”

His remains were in the American Military Cemetery in Algeria, designated X-5137.

“I’ve been very active in trying to identify him,” Seavey said.

Seavey, Hammond's oldest living relative, said he remembers the call coming from Fort Knox. He learned that new DNA technology could link the remains to his uncle in September.

“You can probably think of all kinds of adjectives that fit. Definitely, elation, number one,” Seavey said. “The second, which is almost equivalent to elation, is appreciation. I didn't know that the army which has the slogan 'No one left behind' was so categorical.”

“Today, 81 years later, he is no longer X-5137,” Mullin said. “His name and legacy are restored.”

Seavey said the family is now at peace, knowing their loved one is finally back home after being missing for the past eight decades.

“We have in Tunisia a wall of all missing Americans,” Sevey said. “And every time we find one, they put a rosette on it. And Dick, my uncle, was the first to get a rosette.”

The family hopes that other families of the remaining unnamed soldiers will receive a call that their loved one is coming home.