With Sadness We Say, “Farewell, Bud…”
Chapel Hill, NC – There is a moment in our lives where we are called to share sad news. Today, is one of those moments.
We are incredibly sad to share with you the loss of Major Everett “Bud” Hampton, United States Marine Corps (Retired), a native of Kannapolis, North Carolina, and a resident of Chapel Hill for over sixty years. Bud was 97 years of age and passed away peacefully this morning, May 13, 2021, at 7:30 a.m. at the Durham VA’s Hospice Center.
Major Hampton joined the Marine Corps at the beginning of World War II and served in the Pacific Theater landing with fellow Marines at one island at a time, culminating with Iwo Jima and a battlefield commission. Completing his wartime service, he returned to North Carolina and enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he graduated as the Korean War was starting. As an officer, he was recalled to active duty and sent to Korea where he a commanded a Marine force..
Bud seldom spoke of the conflicts he survived, but he spoke often of his pride in the Marine Corps of his Battalion in Europe. His battalion was selected to provide the landing forces for Darryl F. Zanuck’s 1962 film epic, The Longest Day. In recognition of his appreciation of Bud’s help and support, Darryl Zanuck gifted his Director’s Chair to Major Hampton. The chair is proudly displayed in American Legion Post 6’s museum. When Bud retired from active service, he returned to Carolina and a took a position with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he retired.
A lot of details are not available yet regarding funeral services and interment. We do know, however, that interment will be at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery where his wife and family are buried. Local veterans will honor Bud on Saturday, May 29, 2021, as the American Legion gathers at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery for Veterans flag placement. The Placement Honors ceremony is a short ceremony at 8 a.m. and at the conclusion of our 6:30 a.m. flag distribution to marked veterans’ graves.
Bud Hampton was a 26-year member of Chapel Hill Post No. 6, a member of the Marine Corps League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapel Hill Post 9100, a member of the Orange County Veterans Memorial Committee, as well as a supporter of area and state veterans’ programs.