Emile Alexander Hatchet was born May 12, 1917 on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, the son of John Hatchet and Isabella Taylor. He had two younger sisters- Mildred V. Hatchet born around 1918, and Nickolena Fergus born around 1922. Isabella worked as a laborer on a sugar farm to support her children.
When Emile was 22 he was living in Frederickstad, St. Croix, and working as a porter in a retail grocery store.
On February 11, 1943, at St.Thomas, VI, Emile enlisted in the United States Navy. During World War II, Emile served aboard the ship USS PC 1260 from June 8, 1944 to at least December 31, 1945. The war ended in 1945, but Emile remained in service. During 1946 he served aboard the USS Avery Island, and from July 3, 1947 to at least January 1949 he served on the USS De Haven.
Emile Alexander Hatchet died on January 31, 2001, at the Montefiore Medical Center at Westchester Square. He was buried more than two years later, May 26, 2003, on Hart Island.
***Hart Island records give January 29, 2001 as the death date. Social Security records give January 31, 2001.
Sources: Ancestry.com; US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; 1930 and 1940 US Federal Censuses; US, WWII Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949.
