ROLLINGBAY — The U.S. Postal Service will pay tribute to Medal of Honor recipient John “Bud” Hawk by dedicating the Rollingbay Post Office in his honor during a ceremony at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010.

A plaque will be set at the Post Office placing Hawk’s name on the building. The Rollingbay Post Office will retain its name.

Hawk grew up in the Rollingbay area. Following his military career he was an educator for many years in Bremerton where he still resides.

The ceremony will be held at the Rollingbay Post Office, 10355 NE Valley Road, with a reception to follow at the American Legion Hall, 7880 Bucklin Hill Road NE on Bainbridge Island.

Federal legislation to designate the Rollingbay Post Office building in honor of Hawk was passed on Nov. 30, 2009. The legislation was introduced by Washington Congressman Jay Inslee.

Hawk, 84, received his Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman on the steps of the Washington State Capitol in Olympia in 1945. His heroic actions on Aug. 20, 1944 near Chambois, France, led to his being awarded the Medal of Honor. He also received four Purple Hearts for injuries he received during his career.

Hawk graduated from Bainbridge Island High School in 1943 and joined the Army two weeks later. He was released from the Army after two-and-a-half years and went to the University of Washington. In 1952 he began teaching fifth and sixth grades at Tracyton Elementary School in Bremerton. Later he moved to Brownsville Elementary where he taught sixth grade and later became principal. He retired from the school district in 1983.

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