Print This Page

Major Robert Hill McCormick

A young man in military uniform standing in front of a car.
  • Unit: 2nd Marine Division
  • Date of Birth: March 9, 1917
  • Date of Death: December 5, 1984
  • Hometown: Hickory, Mississippi
  • Place of Death: Gulfport, Mississippi
  • Cemetery: Section Z, Row 4, Site 19. Biloxi National Cemetery, Biloxi, Mississippi
Contributed by Juniel Lopez Ocasio and Gamaliel Ruiz Diaz
Mentored by Mrs. Elizabeth Green
College and Career Technical Institute and Pascagoula High School
2025/2026

Early Life

March 9, 1917, Frank and Lula McCormick welcomed their fifth and final child, Robert Hill McCormick. The McCormick Family ran a local grocery and commercial store in Hickory, Mississippi.

Robert McCormick graduated from high school and went on to attend four years of college at the University of Mississippi. He was very active in his collegiate years in the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, the Glee Club, Phi Sigma Literacy Society, the Musical Club, Tennis, and in ROTC Rifle. However, this time was not free from hardship. His father passed away due to the impact of double pneumonia in 1936.

His children remember the stories he told about his time at Ole Miss. One of the more colorful ones included a car accident with an unsuspecting mule on a trip home from college to visit with his future wife, Mildred Lowe. 

He graduated with a degree in Business Commerce in 1937, and returned temporarily to the family store with his brother Clarence for a season. 

McCormick married Mildred Lowe on May 22, 1940. They went on to have two children together.

Musical Club recognition page in the University of Mississippi yearbook, 1935.
Death Announcement for Frank McCormick, Robert’s father. Newton Record, January 9, 1936.
Robert McCormick’s college graduation photograph, 1938. University of Mississippi.
Announcement of the wedding of Mildred Lowe and Robert McCormick. Clarion-Ledger, April 28, 1940.
Robert and Mildred McCormick shortly after they married. Courtesy of David McCormick.

Homefront

McCormick’s native home, Newton County, Mississippi, had a total population of 24,813. Prior to World War II, Newton County had a large industrial base that employed 434 people. This industry was also connected to Ingalls Shipbuilding, a major ship company during World War II. 

The local economy consisted mostly of grain and agriculture, with cotton as the most prominent crop and small livestock sectors.  There was also a budding Main Street community. This included a family business belonging to the McCormick family. The downtown area even boasted a large mill in the 1940s.  

On the outbreak of U.S involvement in World War II, local members of the county gathered together and prayed for the nation at the First Baptist Church after the attack on Pearl Harbor. 

During World War II, the population decreased by 26%, and women entered the workforce in greater numbers. 

War propaganda was also present via radio, posters, and newspapers. In the 1940s, the post office participated in the war effort and received communications from Washington, D.C.  For example, there was a communication concerning ration stamps, which were to be sent by registered mail to a verification center run by the Office of Price Administration.

Newton, Mississippi’s economy and downtown were thriving in the era leading up to the war. The Newton Record, May 2, 1935.
The front page of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin after the attack on Oahu, Hawaii, December 7, 1941.
A painting of the First Baptist Church in Newton, Mississippi. D. Armstrong.

Military Experience

McCormick’s military career began with his commission in the Marine Corps in May 1936, while a student at the University of Mississippi. He entered as a Second Lieutenant. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater for three years in Tarawa, New Zealand, China, Okinawa, and Australia.  He left the Marines and returned home to Hickory in September 1946. Here, he worked in the family grocery and commercial store. He realized that he missed the adventure of the military. 

So, McCormick decided he would return to the service. He and his wife, Mildred, also welcomed their first child, Robert, Jr.  The McCormick family moved to Oahu, Hawai‘i. In 1949, he moved to Stafford, Virginia, for training at the Amphibious Warfare School. He was commissioned on August 2, 1951, to work with 1,600 Midshipmen in Amphibious Training for the U.S. fleet in Auburn, Alabama. From 1953 to 1956. He worked at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Their second son, David, was born in North Carolina in 1955. Major McCormick finished his career at 29 Palms in California. He was stationed here from 1957 to 1962.

This photo from McCormick’s Official Military Personnel File was taken on September 8, 1949. National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.
Mildred Lowe McCormick, while the family was stationed in Hawai‘i, December 29, 1948. Courtesy of David McCormick.
A newspaper clipping about Major Robert McComick’s role at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Courtesy of David McCormick.

Veteran Experience

McCormick had requested retirement with a purpose. His wife, Mildred Lowe McCormick, had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1950s. After being released, he moved his family to Long Beach, Mississippi, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, to be closer to Kessler Air Force Base and its hospital for his wife’s medical care.  Arriving in 1962, he worked in a couple of areas before finding his way into education. 

He took a position at Long Beach High School. Here, he taught government and economics and served as a Beta Club sponsor. McCormick worked at the school from which both of his sons would graduate. During this time, Robert Jr. would go on to work at Ingalls Shipbuilding and then become a career Marine, like his father. 

In 1969, the Long Beach High School Yearbook Staff dedicated the yearbook to McCormick. According to the yearbook dedication, Major McCormick helped improve the school, foster better citizenship, and strengthen patriotism. 

1969 was a hard year for the McCormick family, who resided a few blocks from the beach on Carroll Avenue. August 16, 1969, Hurricane Camile hit the Gulf Coast and killed over 300 people. The McCormick family suffered significant damage to their home. Also in this year, a more devastating event was the passing of Mildred Lowe McCormick.

David was only 14 when he and his father became the only residents of their home. He remembers that shortly after his mother’s passing, his dad made time to take him to his first college game, and he still made a point of taking his family on vacations to national parks around the country. Major McCormick taught his boys to always take life in stride. His son Robert remembered when he had wrecked the family car and had to tell his father. Major McCormick reminded him that the family would always get through things together. 

Major McCormick eventually left education to continue in retirement. He still enjoyed singing in the choir at his Methodist Church and later remarried. In January of 1980, he married Emily Lindsey McCormick. She was with him until his death four years later. Emily McCormick passed away in 2002.

McCormick was a staff member at Long Beach High School. He taught government and economics. Seagull, Long Beach High School yearbook, 1967.
The 1969 Long Beach High School yearbook was dedicated to Robert McCormick.

Commemoration

Robert McCormick died on December 5, 1984, and is buried at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi. In his honor, the Robert H. McCormick Scholarship is given at Ole Miss.

Robert Hill McCormick’s grave at Biloxi National Cemetery, March 19, 2026. Courtesy of Elizabeth Green.
This 1969 Long Beach High School yearbook photo was particularly interesting because McCormick had signed it for the owner of the book. He wrote to the pupil, “Best of Luck to a good student.” His encouraging words showed the caring demeanor that made his students and children love him.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

David McCormick. North Carolina, U.S., Birth Indexes, 1800-2000. Digital Images. https://ancestry.com. 

“Frank McCormick dies at Family Home in Hickory.” The Newton Record [Newton, Mississippi], January 9, 1936. Newspapers.com (317087388). 

James H. McCormick. U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949. Digital Images. https://ancestry.com.

McCormick, David. Interview. February 12, 2026. 

McCormick, Robert, Jr. Telephone interview. February 12, 2026. 

McCormick, Susan. Interview. February 12, 2026.

“Miss Mildred Lowe, Robert McCormick To Take Nuptial Vows.” Clarion-Ledger [Jackson, Mississippi], April 28, 1940. Newspapers.com (202713663). 

Mississippi. Newton County. 1910 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestry.com. 

Mississippi. Newton County. 1920 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestry.com. 

Mississippi. Newton County. 1930 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestry.com. 

Mississippi. Newton County. 1940 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestry.com. 

“Newton Bride-Elect Tells Personnel And Plans for Wedding.” Clarion-Ledger [Jackson, Mississippi], May 19, 1970. Newspapers.com (203051650). 

“Newton Oil Mill.” The Newton Record [Newton, Mississippi], May 2, 1935. Newspapers.com (304550129). 

Robert McCormick, DD-214, Department of the Air Force. National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.

Robert McCormick, Discharge Special Order, Department of the Air Force. National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.

“Robert McCormick.” MECCA Licensure, Mississippi Department of Education. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://licensure.mdek12.org/public/search/profile/38849.

Robert Hill McCormick, Official Military Personnel File, Department of the Navy, National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.

Robert Hill McCormick, Official Military Personnel File, Department of the Navy, National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.

“Robert Hill McCormick.” The Sun [Biloxi, Mississippi], December 7, 1984.

Robert Hill McCormick. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2020. Digital Images. https://ancestry.com. 

Robert McCormick. U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016. Digital Images. https://ancestry.com. 

Virginia. Stafford County. 1950 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestry.com. 

“War! Oahu Bombed by Japanese Plans.” Honolulu Star-Bulletin [Honolulu, Hawaii], December 7, 1941. Newspapers.com (78261321).

Secondary Sources

Anderson, Andy. Telephone interview. November 5, 2025. 

Edmiston, Fred W. “Meridian, Mississippi At War: People and Events During World War II (1939-1945).” Lauderdale County Archives. Accessed November 15, 2025. http://www.lauderdalecountymsarchives.org/uploads/2/6/2/1/2621480/444.pdf.

Ferrell, Sean. “Not Just Farms Anymore: The Effects of World War II on Mississippi’s Economy.” Mississippi History Now, September 2001. https://www.mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov/issue/the-effects-of-world-war-II-on-mississippis-economy.

“Mildred Lowe McCormick.” Find a Grave. Updated July 22, 2011. Accessed April 7, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73743389/mildred-mccormick. 

“History of Newton.” Mississippi Historical and Geological Society. Accessed October 19, 2025. https://www.nchgs.org/index.html.

“Newton County.” Mississippi Encyclopedia. Updated June 17, 2025. Accessed April 7, 2026. https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/newton-county/. 

Newton County Mississippi: A Pictorial History. Rose Publishing Company: 2000. 

“Old Terminal Building, Hangar and Powerhouse at Key Field.” National Park Service. Updated September 3, 2017. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/articles/old-terminal-building-hangar-and-powerhouse-at-key-field.htm.

“Robert Hill McCormick.” Find a Grave. Updated March 3, 2000. Accessed April 7, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2961255/robert-hill-mccormick.

“Robert Hill McCormick.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, National Cemetery Administration. Accessed April 7, 2026. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/ROBERTHILLMCCORMICK/FF47FC1. 

“Voices of Mississippi Agriculture.” Mississippi Farm Bureau. Updated 2023. Accessed November 2, 2025. https://msfb.org/remembering-our-past-wwii-efforts-supported/. 

Williams, Nancy K. “History of Newton.” Newton County, Mississippi Historical and Geological Society. Updated 2019. Accessed November 9, 2025. https://www.nchgs.org/html/history_of_newton.html.

Wynn, Jake. “Letters from War–From the Training Camp of Mississippi in the Summer of 1943.” Blog. August 20, 2020. https://wynninghistory.com/2020/08/20/letters-from-war-2/.

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.