Bobby Elliott Hammett

Retired Major Bobby Elliott Hammett, U.S. Air Force, age 82, and a resident of Gulfport, MS died Sunday, January 29, 2012 at Keesler AFB Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Devota Violet Hammett, and his parents Fred Elliott Hammett, and Nettie Scarborough Hammett.
Mr. Hammett is survived by his daughters, Linda Carol Hammett of Biloxi, MS, Patricia Hammett Taylor of Marietta, GA, and Brenda Hammett Abshire of Gulfport, MS; son-in-laws Richard Brent Taylor of Marietta, GA; and Thomas Alan Abshire of Gulfport, MS; grandson Harrison Elliott Abshire; granddaughter Lauren Elizabeth Abshire; and step-grandchildren, Jennifer Taylor Evans and Christine Elizabeth Taylor.
Mr. Hammett retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Major after 20 years of service, and is a POW (Jun 52 to Sept 1953) survivor from the Korean War.
Mr. Hammett had a distinguished military career receiving several honors including The Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart Recipient, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, Prisoner of War Medal and many more awards.
He started his 20 year military career in the United States Naval Academy then accepted a commission in the USAF September 27, 1950. He was working as a navigator on a B26, when on his birthday, June 6, 1952; Mr. Hammett's aircraft was shot down over Korean enemy lines. He barely escaped the aircraft with his life and was seriously injured upon bailing out of his plane. He was captured by the Chinese Government and held captive between June 1952 and September 1953. Mr. Hammett was held in subhuman conditions for most of that time period. He used survival training to stay alive and did mathematical equations in his head to keep his mind alert. He was released on the last truck leaving the encampment and was the first Korean war POW to arrive home at Keesler Air Force Base. Other military career jobs after release included: 2/56- 10/59 Chief Navigator for instruction and qualification of navigators; 10/59-10/61 Unit Staff Navigator for operational proficiency of all squadron rescue navigators and radio operators; 10/61- 4/64- Missile Combat Officer; 4/64-9/65 Tactical Communication Officer; 9/65-9/67 Communications Division Chief/ Operations Officer; and 10/67-10/70 Communications Electronics Staff Specialist.
Mr. Hammett had a distinguished career after retiring from the Air Force in 1970. He worked briefly as a teacher before starting his own Export/Import Company, Pacifica Inc., from 1971-1973. In 1973- 1974 Mr. Hammett worked as a technical instructor with AMECOM division of Litton where he helped develop technical materials for systems of the DD963 Class Destroyer. After 1974 he worked as a Test and Trails Foreman Engineer at Ingalls Ship Building Division of Litton for 4.5 years, supervising 95 shipbuilding engineers and operators. In February 1978, Mr. Hammett began work with the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) as Operations Director of a USAF integration contract. He directed the contract activities of more than 30 senior engineering and technical professionals in direct support of the USAF's ""Salty Demo"" exercise, which was one of the largest Air Base Survivability demonstrations ever conducted by the USAF. He served in the capacity of contract negotiation/management until his retirement.
Mr. Hammett was a member of the American Society of Naval Engineering; the Military Operation Research Society; and the American Defense Preparedness Association.
His education included a Master of Science degree with honors from the University of Southern California (1970) majoring in Management, Engineering, Human Factors; a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Omaha (1964) majoring in Military Management; minor Engineering/Math; Perk Jr. College (1949) majoring in Pre-Engineering; Biloxi High School (1947) and Special Technical Schools included: Navigation, Squadron Officers School, Missile Launch Officer School, and IBM Executive management course.
In retirement, Mr. Hammett was a world traveler and took full advantage of his military benefits. He actively traveled to locations around the world utilizing military hops venturing places like Ireland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, South America and many more. He was known to be a lover of chocolates, martinis and great food. He will be sorely missed as he was a good friend, devoted father, adored husband and national hero.
The Funeral Church Service will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, February 6, 2012 at the Coalville United Methodist Church (12298 Shorecrest Rd Biloxi), where he was a member, and friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave, Biloxi. Friends are invited to the Hammett household immediately following the funeral ceremony.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport, assisted the family with arrangements.
Tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com.