HAZLEHURST, Miss. – The post office in Hazlehurst at 130 Caldwell Drive is expected to get a name change in honor of military hero, First Lieutenant Alvin Chester Cockrell, Jr. The legislation was authored by Senator Thad Cochran. The bill is now headed to the white house for approval after clearing congress Monday.
Cockrell was born in Hazlehurst on September 18, 1918. While in the Marine Corps, he was cited for “extraordinary heroism” as a platoon leader while fighting Japanese forces on the Solomon Islands during World War II. He lost his life during combat there Sept. 24, 1942.
