Simpson’s name was added to the World War II Memorial at Veteran’s Park in Hampton that is “dedicated to the men of this borough who gave their lives in the service of our country.”

Hunterdon County Democrat
Hampton honors World War II hero, adds Edward K. Simpson Jr.’s name to memorial
Published: Aug. 19, 2021, 8:14 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, the town of Hampton remembered a local fallen hero.
Honored was Army Air Corps Captain Edward K. Simpson Jr., who died on Aug. 14, 1944, in the Orleans Forest in France.
Simpson, who served with the 357th Fighter Group, 363rd Fighter Squadron, made the ultimate sacrifice when holding off advancing German troops with five French Resistance Freedom Fighters so a convoy of freedom fighters could escape.
Simpson’s name was added to the World War II Memorial at Veteran’s Park in Hampton that is “dedicated to the men of this borough who gave their lives in the service of our country.”
The ceremony included welcoming remarks by Hampton Mayor Todd Shaner, a New Jersey State Police flyover, memorial addresses, music, and a rifle volley by the Spruce Run Memorial VFW Post 5119.
Damien Laban, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of France in New York, spoke during the ceremony about the day Capt. Simpson was killed and the gratitude of the French people.
Capt. Simpson was remembered as follows:
“Today we honor and remember the service and sacrifice of Edward K. Simpson Jr., who died in combat exactly 77 years ago today while fighting alongside members of the French Resistance in the woods surrounding the village of Ouzouer-sur-Loire in northern France. Four days before his death, Capt. Simpson’s P-51 Mustang fighter plane was struck by another P-51 during a combat mission over German-occupied France. The other Mustang pilot was killed as his fighter exploded and fell in flames. Eddie survived the crash and was able to evade capture and join with the French Resistance when, on August 14, 1944, he found himself on the last truck of a French military convoy which was being pursued by a Nazi column of trucks and armored vehicles. In that moment, Capt. Simpson and five of the French freedom fighters made the courageous decision to jump together from their truck with a heavy machine gun to try and slow down the rapidly advancing German troops.
All six of the men surely realized that they could not escape death, since the point where they established their roadblock was flat and completely without protective cover. The final action these men fought was brief, but successful. Their machine gun fire stopped the lead German vehicle, which blocked the road and allowed time for the rest of the French freedom fighters to escape. Capt. Simpson and his five French freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives with him so that their comrades might live.”
The event was coordinated by Hampton Fire Chief Rick Allen.

Dedication Ceremony Program