In memory: "Hawk" passed away April 8, 2025.
Background
Elmer J. Hawkins was born June 15, 1923 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois as one of five children. Nicknamed "Hawk". His father was a U.S. Marine during World War I and served in France in the Battle of Belleau Wood and influencing him to join the military and serve his country. As a high school student, he enlisted in the Illinois Reserve Militia.
Wartime History
In early 1942 at age 1942, he secretly enlisted in U.S. Army and when his father heard about it, he said “Well, I guess you are not man enough to be a Marine" and convinced him to change his enlistment to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). After boot camp, Hawkins was sent to radio school in San Diego then was assigned to the 2nd Replacement Battalion. Next, assigned to the 1st Marine Division, Division Headquarters Battalion, 1st Signal Company. In September 1942 landed on Guadalcanal at the height of the campaign. Like every Marine, he experienced air raids, bombardments and came under fire on the island. Hawk loved to tell the story that soon after arriving on Guadalcanal, as he was writing down an incoming radio message, someone sat on the table where he was working. Without looking up, he told them to, “Get your ass off the table.” The person put his hand on his shoulder and said, “Sorry son.” Elmer looked up to see the person was none other than General Alexander A. Vandegrift, commander of the 1st Marine Division.
In December 1942 he left Guadalcanal when the 1st Marine Division were relieved and was sent to Brisbane where he suffered from malaria and later moved to Melbourne. On December 26, 1943 he participated in the landing at Cape Gloucester on western New Britain. Afterwards, stationed on Pavuvu Island to rest and continue training for the next invasion. On September 15, 1944 he was part of the first wave of the U.S. landing on Peleliu and remained on the island for the duration of battle. As a veteran of three campaigns, Hawk returned to the United States and was stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Supply Depot at 100 Henderson Street in San Francisco.
Postwar
After the Marines, Hawk attended the DeVry Institute in Chicago, IL and studied electronics and engineering then worked for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as a quality control inspector. Later, he worked for for Motorola on television sets.
After retirement, he became a water safety instructor with the American Red Cross and taught life-saving, water safety, first aid and CPR. He also was a SCUBA diver and instructor for the YMCA. He enjoyed sailing and led SCUBA diving trips around the world. In 2000, he moved to Daytona Beach, Florida and lived on his sail boat named "Hawk’s Wind Song" moored in the Daytona Marina where he lived until 2019 when he moved to to the home of his friend Mary Ann.
In 1996, he joined the
VFW Post 3282 in Port Orange, Florida where he served as Jr. Vice-Commander, Sr. Vice-Commander, Post Commander; Chaplain, Captain of Honor Guard and Color Guard. He was also the Chair of House Committee 4 years. He led the “Poppy Drive” three different years personally responsible for raising approximately $6000.
In 2000, he joined the 1st Marine Division Association, Central Florida Chapter where he served as Deputy Vice President East; Pres. CF Chapter, Director-at-Large and served on the Scholarship Selection Committee, Finance Committee and Nomination Committee. He was also active in the national 1st Marine Division Association. Hawk also was President of the Guadalcanal Survivors Association. He was active in the Marine Corps League “Malcolm B. McLain Detachment” in Deland where he was Captain of the Color Guard and Honor Guard 2014 – 2019.
Memorials
On April 8, 2025 he died at age 101.
The meeting hall in VFW Post 3282 in Port Orange, Florida is named in his honor.
Relatives
He is survived by three children: Stephen, John and Beverly. He has seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
References
Hometown News "VFW will name dining hall for Marine Corps veteran" July 27, 2017
YouTube - Elmer's 100th June 10, 2023
Thanks to Elmer J. Hawkins, Mary Ann Hawkins and 1st MAR DIV Association, Central Florida Chapter for additional information
