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Contact Info
Home Town Carthage, MO
Last Address Litchfield Park, AZ
Date of Passing Sep 12, 2005
Location of Interment Greenwood Cemetery - San Diego, California
Birth: Jul. 28, 1911 Madison County Missouri, USA Death: Sep. 12, 2005 Litchfield Park Maricopa County Arizona, USA
Paul Phillip was born in Carthage, Madison County, Missouri. He was the son of Elisha Virgil Hammock and Cora Maude Phillips. He married Hettie Iola Voohies 1931. Paul and Hettie had one son.
Paul was retired from the US Navy and served in World War II and the Korean War. He was aboard the USS Astoria.
Obituary:
Paul P Hammock, 94, of Litchfield Park died Sept 12, 2005.
Mr Hammock was born July 28, 1911 in Carthage, Mo. He enlisted in the Navy in 1927, and in 1941 was stationed aboard the USS Astoria, home ported at Pearl Harbor. The ship left the harbor Dec 6, 1941 thus escaping Dec 7 attack.
The USS Astoria was sunk Aug 2, 1942, near Guadalcanal, Mr. Hammock wasn't injured, but spent eight hours in shark filled waters until being rescued by the USS Wilson. Four hundred of his shipmates died.
At the time of death, he was the oldest, living survivor of the event.
Mr. Hammock retired from the Navy as a chief petty officer in 1947, then served two more years, 1951-52, during the Korean War. He later opened and operated an auto parts business for 15 years and a wire rope business for 13 years. He retired at the age of 70 and moved to Litchfield Park in 1988 to be near his son.
Mr. Hammock volunteered for may years at the Arizona Humane Society, and in 1998 was named "Star Volunteer of the Year" He also was a life member of the Navy League.
Mr Hammock was preceded in death by his wife, Hettie, whom he married in 1931.
He is survived by his son, Col. Paul Rex Hammock, USAF Ret; two grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.
A service was held at Skyway Church of the West Valley, 14900 W Van Buren St in Goodyear. Interment was in San Diego California.
