Monongahela Cemetery to inter fallen WWII hero
MONONGAHELA – A U.S. airman who has been missing in action after his plane was shot down by the Germans during WWII will finally be laid to rest in Monongahela.
According to Monongahela Councilman Rusty Polinoli, the remains of Sgt. Vernon L. Hamilton and two other crewmen who were part of 462nd Bomb Squadron, were located in Hulsten (Reken), Germany in 2016 and officially accounted for last December.
Hamilton and Sgt. John Kalausich were gunners aboard the plane that was shot down on March 21, 1945 during a bombing mission. Second Lt. Lynn W. Hadfield served as pilot of the plane.
Polinoli said that Hamilton’s remains are being transported to the Frye Funeral Home in Monongahela. Hamilton’s family will then receive friends at the First Presbyterian Church from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. The Monongahela Police Department will escort the procession to Monongahela Cemetery, where Hamilton will be buried with full honors.
“Sgt. Hamilton is a hero and we are glad that he is finally being brought to his hometown in Monongahela,” said Polinoli, during a workshop meeting of the council Monday.
Polinoli noted that because of the funeral and procession through the city, Monongahela’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt will now be held at 2 p.m. this Saturday at Chess Park.
Also, during the meeting, Polinoli asked the public not to feed ducks that gather at the Monongahela Aquatorium.
“Feeding the ducks can be harmful to their health,” said Polinoli. “This also attracts rats to the aquatorium.”