William Braaksma Jr.
Rank: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force
Service Number: AF 13281841
Unit: 3550th Installation Squadron
Hometown: National Park, New Jersey
Born: June 24, 1931
Died: , Valdosta, Georgia
Burial: Beverly National Cemetery, Plot O 0 251, Beverly, New Jersey
Staff Sergeant William Braaksma Jr.
Staff Sergeant William Braaksma was born to William and Eleanor Braaksma on June 24, 1931. His father worked as a toolmaker.
The Braaksma family lived in Camden’s Eighth Ward in the 1930s and 1940s. The family was living in Pine Hill when the 1940 Census was taken. They returned to Camden after the Census was taken and were still there as late as 1947, living at 552 Chelton Avenue in 1943 and later at 428 Van Hook Street and 1722 Ferry Avenue. William Braaksma grew up in this neighborhood, and attended the Mickle Elementary School at 6th and Van Hook Streets, and later Cooper B. Hatch Junior High School on Park Boulevard. By 1953 the family had moved to National Park, New Jersey.
William Braaksma left school and joined the United States Air Force as soon as he turned 17. He re-enlisted in the United States Air Force on June 20, 1951. During his time in the Air Force, he was stationed for one year in Korea.
William Braaksma Jr. was killed in an automobile accident at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA on December 20, 1953. His body was returned to New Jersey, and after a Mass at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, he was taken to Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, NJ for burial.
William Braaksma Jr. was survived by his parents, who had moved to National Park, NJ by the end of 1953, his brother Henry, and two sisters, Eleanor T. and Cori Braaksma.
Fire, Mishaps Kill 11 Over Week-end
Marietta Daily Journal —
Fire, Mishaps Kill 11 Over Week-end
Six Georgians Burn To Death As Cold Snap Loosens Grip
ATLANTA, Dec. 21 (UP) — Fire and highway mishaps brought death to at least 11 persons during the weekend and two other persons died of injuries suffered in earlier accidents, the State Highway Patrol said.
[…] Two servicemen were killed in Sunday highway accidents. […] William Braaksma, 22, died in his car when it turned over on Highway 125 eight miles north of Valdosta. Braaksma was stationed at Moody Air Force Base Valdosta.
S/Sgt. Braaksma Burial Sunday
Camden Courier-Post —
Military rites will be held at Beverly National Cemetery Sunday night for S/Sgt. William Braaksma Jr., 22, killed in an automobile accident at the Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, Ga.
The sergeant’s parents, who live at 102 Beachfront, National Park, formerly lived at 428 Van Hook street. Mass will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church with funeral arrangements in charge of Frank J. Leonard, 1451 Broadway.
In addition to his parents, Sergeant Braaksma is survived by two sisters, Eleanor and Cori and a brother, Henry. He was in the service for five and a half years, assigned to the Fifth Airborne Division. He spent one year in Korea.
Sergeant Braaksma formerly attended Mickle School and Hatch Junior High School.
Pallbearers will be Joseph Brozik, William Stalter, Frederick West, Charles Simms, Alex Tischer and Mathias Tischer.
U.S. National Cemetery Interment Control Form
U.S. National Cemetery Interment Control Form — Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, NJ