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 family lived in Camden's Eighth Ward in the 1930s and were still there as late as 1947, living at different times 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 Jr. High School on Park Boulevard.

William Braaksma left school and joined the United States Air Force as soon as he turned 17. 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 syrvived by his parents, who had moved to National OPark NJ by the end of 1953, his brother Henry, and two sisters, Eleanor T. and Cori Braaksma.

December 26, 1953