EAST TEXAS (KYTX) -- It's an impressive collection of family photographs and memorabilia.
When woven together the items tell a story of one man's role in a crusade to save the world. Sergeant William Hamon knew he wanted to serve in the military from a young age and there was only one branch for him.
Hamon joined the Marines in May, 1943.
He trained at a naval air station in Norman, Oklahoma as an explosive specialist and aerial gunner. His supervisors quickly learned they also had an expert marksman on their hands as Hamon practiced skeet shooting.
"I broke 50 in a row without missing one."
Remington arms even recognized him for his skill.
Uncle Sam needed Hamon in the Pacific, so he shipped out from San Diego on the U.S.S. Natoma Bay for more training in December 1943.
Even now, 69 years later, Hamon can remember that feeling of uncertainty as he left the U.S. mainland for the first time.
"I looked back and I could see that horizon, and I saw that shoreline melting away. And it came to mind, where was I going...would I be back at all."
H was destined for the Marshal Islands where he stayed for 13 months.
He got to the island of Engebi in February 1944. It was the closest American base to Japan at that time.
The U.S. fought Japan to gain control and the Japanese wanted it back.
"We were bombed incessantly and regularly."
Hamon and others in his crew had to constantly repair the bombed landing strip to protect air operations. Hamon put his marksman skills to use as an aerial gunner -- but he also loaded bombs onto ships and planes.
Day to day life on Engebi was dangerous, but fortunately for Hamon the Marines looked out for each other.
During a raid, Hamon tripped running to his tent, but another soldier pulled him into his own tent.
When the raid was over and Hamon got back to his bunk he knew that happened for a reason.
"A jagged piece of metal that had come through that tent and through my bunk and through the mattress and buried into the ground. If I had gotten back to that tent in time and gotten on my bunk it might have been a mistake."
Some sacrifices were less obvious. Common things we take for granted like a glass of cold, fresh milk were unheard of on these islands. They lived on rice. Basic necessities were spartan.
"Your water, course there wasn't any wells then, came in 55 gallon drums, and it did have a little rust in it."
And he missed his family desperately. But there was a job to do -- his contributions helped the allied forces win World War II. And when you ask him if he'd do it again, Hamon doesn't bat an eye.
"If this happened again under the same circumstances, I'd have went the same way. This is the only country I've got!"
That's what makes Sergeant William Hamon -- born on the Fourth of July -- an East Texas Hero.
The man who pulled Hamon into his tent that night he tripped never told him his name and he never saw him again.
And to this day Hamon still wishes he could have thanked the man who saved his life.
