Age 24. 101 Dudley Street, Medford, MA. Born on 6/13/1918, Kittery, ME. Died of burns (death certificate). Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve, studying at the Naval Training School (Supply Corps), Harvard University. Known as "Al." Described as, "a young man with a powerful physique..." (Medford Mercury, 11/30/1942). In a mixed foursome including Ensign Arthur Lee, U.S.N.R., age 22 (Born 11/24/1920. Died 5/29/2004, age 83. Last residence Williamstown, MA), Bronxville, NY, also attending the Naval Supply School at Harvard, escaped, and Radcliffe College students Miss Sydney McKenna, age 19 (died on December 1), of Latrobe, PA, and Miss Christian Murray-Allen, age 18 (Born 4/28/1924. Died as Christian Gerhard on 10/10/2021, age 97), of Cambridge, MA, escaped. Group was seated in the cellar Melody Lounge near the northwest corner where the fire started. "Ensign Hearne...saw to it that his friend and their two ladies reached the street with only minor injuries but he died while only five feet from the revolving door at the main entrance to the night club" (Medford Mercury, 11/30/1942). Was pronounced dead upon arrival at Chelsea Naval Hospital, Chelsea, MA. Identity was verified through military dental records. Was raised in Medford. Graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, 1938. Graduate of Williams College in 1942. The Boston Post, 11/30/1942: "He played varsity football and basketball at Andover and also in college and was captain of the Williams track team in his senior year" (WWII draft registration, October '40: 6' 1," 200 lbs.). Earned his naval commission on August 10. Above Ensign Lee was a pallbearer at his funeral services the following Wednesday. One of seven Grove victims from the nearby city of Medford. Parents Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo G., Sr., and Sarah B. (Buckford) Hearne, same address. Father compiled a remarkable nine-page self-typed investigative report of his detailed efforts to gather post-fire answers about his son's death (preserved by the family). Father referred to his victim son throughout his report not by name but as "Junior." Burial at Orchard Grove Cemetery, Kittery, ME. Annual in memoriam notices later published in Hub newspapers (The Boston Herald, 11/28/1945: "A wound to the heart that time cannot heal"). Middle name Graham.

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