Bruce Martindale Passing

We are very sorry to announce that one of our long time members, Bruce Martindale, passed away yesterday.  Bruce Martindale has been a member of Chapel Hill Post 6 for 44 years and served in the U.S. Navy as a Signalman in the South China Sea and Okinawa, Japan.  Bruce was a resident of Carolina Meadows.

Funeral arrangements are for visitation on July 27th at 10 a.m. at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Mt. Carmel Church Rd, Chapel Hill.  The Memorial Service will follow the visitation and begin at 11 a.m. at the church.  Interment follows at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery, Legion Road, Chapel Hill.  Funeral services are provided by the Donaldson Funeral Home, Pittsboro.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Chapel Hill Post No. 6 Post Home Building Fund, in honor of Bruce Martindale. Checks may be mailed to Chapel Hill Post No. 6, American Legion,  3700 NC 54W, Chapel Hill, NC  27516.

Bruce published a memoir of his induction into the military and naval service during World War II.  The book, A Naval Signalman During World War II, records his life from graduating Chapel Hill High School, work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with the Navy’s V-12 Pre-flight Training School Program, and boot camp training at Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland.  It then continues through his World War II service.  A copy of his book will be available for loan from the Post 6 Library.

Bruce’s family goes way back in our Chapel Hill History.  His father, Charlie Lee Martindale, created Martindale Field, Chapel Hill’s first and only airport.  It was later renamed Horace Williams Airport.  View photos from the 1930’s.

Members are encouraged to attend the July 27th services and burial.  Please wear your Legionnaire’s Blue Cap.  We’ll sit together as we honor a member of our Post.