World War II Heroes: Baldwinville men killed in England, Belgium and South Pacific

BALDWINVILLE – As World War II was entering its final year, U.S. military officials had concocted a plan which would border on the practice of psychological warfare.

Members of the 492nd Bomber Group would be called upon for a series of "Carpetbagger" missions, transporting agents, supplies and propaganda leaflets to southern France.

One such operation would involve Sgt. George W. Hawkes of Baldwinville, the Gunner aboard the plane with the 492nd Bomb Group, called upon to complete a covert mission.

Members of the bombing group would engage in a secret mission, dropping leaflets reporting that the war had turned in favor of the Allies.

Tragically, as the plane was planning to make a run over Holland, tragedy intervened.

This is the continuation of the series Remembering Local World War II Heroes, recalling three individuals who hailed from the precinct of Baldwinville.

Sgt. George W. Hawkes (1925-1945)

George Whitney Hawkes was born in Baldwinville on Dec. 20, 1925 to Ralph Lee and Pearle Luella (Hamilton) Hawkes. He graduated from Templeton High School in 1943 and, before entering the service, was employed by the Boston and Maine Railroad.

Hawkes entered the service in February of 1944 and in November of that same year, after training at Laredo, Texas, Lincoln, Nebraska, and in Idaho, he went overseas. He served as a nose gunner on a B-24 bomber.

On Jan. 3, 1945, Sgt. Hawkes was sent on a secret leaflet mission with his plane scheduled to make a run over Holland, participating in psychological warfare. He was ordered to drop leaflets which included a holiday message from the Dutch Queen and reports of how the war had turned in favor of the Allies.

Unfortunately, the plane had a malfunction five minutes after takeoff and crashed in the village of Aston-Clinton, in the Cheddington district of England, exploding on impact. All 10 of the crew members were killed.

The 19-year-old Sgt. Hawkes was survived by his parents, as well as his brother Lt. Robert W. Hawkes who was stationed in the Pacific with the Air Forces, Arthur H. Hawkes who lived in Portland, Maine, and a sister Marjorie Hawkes of Baldwinville.

He was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Templeton and is also listed on a Memorial plaque in Aston Clinton's Church of St. Michael and All Angels.

Pfc. Roy J. Hewitt (1925-1945)

Roy J. Hewitt was born in Bennington, Vermont, on March 15, 1925, the only child born to Royal Alonzo and Elise Janet (Hall) Hewitt. He moved with his family to South Main Street in Baldwinville and graduated from Templeton High School in June of 1943.

He entered the service a month later from Fort Devens after having successfully passed the V-12 examinations. He later went to Camp Roberts. California, and spent three months at the College of Puget Sound in the Army Special Training Program. He was sent overseas in October of 1944.

In mid-January of 1944, his parents received a telegram from the War Department informing them of the death of their son, Pfc. Roy J. Hewitt who was killed in action in Belgium on Jan. 13. The 18-year-old Hewitt was with the 11th Armored Division.

He was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Templeton.

Ensign Herbert A. Miner (1912-1944)

Herbert Ambrose Miner was born in May 25, 1912 in Winchendon, the son of William Henry and Flora A. (Mann) Miner. His mother died in 1926 at the age of 40, while his father died 10 years later at the age of 57.

Miner was married to Barbara B. Miner of Escondido, California, and they had a son, Edgar William Miner.

Ensign Miner was a crew member of the USS Flier submarine which set out on a war patrol on Aug. 2, 1944 bound for the coast of Indochina via the Lombok Strait, Macassar Strait and Balabac Strait.

Ten days into the mission on Aug. 12, while transiting the Balabac Strait on the surface, the Flier struck a naval mine. She sank in about a minute, but 15 officers and men were able to clamber out. Eight of them reached the beach of Byan Island after 17 hours in the water. Tragically, Ensign Miner was among the men who were lost at sea.

The official date of death for the 32-year-old Miner was Aug. 13, 1944.

He is listed on the Monument at Fort William McKinley in Manilla of the Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

He is also listed on a memorial grave at the Riverside Cemetery in Winchendon

Comments and suggestions for Remembering Local World War II Heroes can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Rd. Sandwich, MA 02563.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Baldwinville MA George Hawkes, Roy Hewitt, Herbert Miner died in WWII