Petty Officer Hegwood saw combat action during World War II aboard the Fletcher Class Destroyer USS Bell (DD587) when it was attached to Task Force 58 for the Kavieng, New Ireland, strikes. Petty Officer Hegwood also participated in combat during the Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, invasion; Truk strike; Marianas raid; Carolines strike; Hollandia landings; Saipan invasion; 4 Bonins raids; Battle of the Philippine Sea; Guam invasion; western Carolines raids; Palau raids; Okinawa raid; and with Task Force 38 in the Formosa raids. The USS Bell formed part of the escort of the crippled USS Houston (CL-81) and USS Canberra (CN-70) from Formosa to Ulithi. She then rejoined the 3rd Fleet for strikes against Luzon and the invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon.

 During the late evening of January 31, 1945, while at 13 degrees 20 North, 119 degrees 20 East, the USS Bell joined the O'Bannon (DD-450) and the Ulvert M. Moore (DE-442) in sinking the Japanese submarine RO-115.

Petty Officer Hegwood, was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Petty Officer Hegwood was honorably discharged from the Naval Service in May of 1945.