The following story honoring Wasilla High School graduate Electronics Technician 1st Class Ronald Hemenway originally appeared in a 2021 Frontiersman special section commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Hemenway’s parents, Bob and Shirley Hemenway, have both died since the story was published. We reprint it today to honor Hemenway’s life, service, and sacrifice.
What you need to know:
- Ronald Hemenway, a 1982 Wasilla High School graduate and Navy Electronics Technician 1st Class, was among the 125 people killed at the Pentagon in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
- Hemenway joined the Navy at age 30, excelled in electronics training and eventually earned a position at the Pentagon. He was married and had two children.
- Hemenway’s remains were never recovered. Wasilla High School is home to a Battlefield Cross Memorial dedicated in his memory.
Ronald Hemenway’s military career started later in life. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 30. But Hemenway found his calling and success as an electronics technician and earned a position in the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Hemenway, a 1982 graduate of Wasilla High School, was one of 125 people who were killed inside the Pentagon when hijackers flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the building…