17 September, 2010
On 6 December 2008, another comrade left us. We remember John P. Hinckley, Jr. being active in Hopkinton town politics, and living with his family on Pond Street. John served in the US Navy (photo attached) during 1962-66, at the National Naval Medical Center (aka Bethesda Naval Hospital). He was a Navy corpsman specializing in cardiopulmonary technology and care, which carried-over into his business career.
The Naval Hospital is the flagship of the US Navy system of medical centers. In 1963, after JFK’s death in Dallas, the autopsy was performed on the evening of 22 November 1963, in Bethesda. In the 1980s, both President and First Lady Reagan were patients there. John was proud of a letter he received which acknowledged his attending to President Lyndon B. Johnson.As with many Hopkintonians, military service is a family affair. Jane, John’s wife of 42 years, was a Navy nurse at Bethesda; son John P. Hinckley, III was a Marine Lance Corporal during 1987-91, including time with combat engineers in the Persian Gulf War; and, father J. Philip Hinckley – “Phil” – who served in World War II, and experienced Omaha Beach.Ahoy sailor, until we meet again.
by Hank Allessio
