Posted by XXXXXX on July 28, 2008:

John D. Hamilton ’48 NO.16742 • Died 11 June 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts, aged 42 years. Interment: Orleans Cemetery, Orleans, MA John Duncan Hamilton was born 9 November 1926 in Paterson, New Jersey, to a loving and close-knit family. He attended public schools there and was active in the Boy Scouts and church choir. In high school he was known for his popularity and leadership and ready smile. He was president of the Student Council, ran track, was a cheerleader, and was voted most versatile senior, and awarded the DAR award for good citizenship. He was active in the Civil Air Patrol. Appointed to West Point by Congressman Gordon Canfield of New Jersey, he arrived with high ideals and a determination to do everything well. At the Academy he received numerals track, sang in the Cadet Choir and Glee Club and was a member of the Handball and Camera Clubs. Jack was nicknamed “Hambo,” in recognition to his being a good guy. His companymates remember him as a serious, conscientious, determined fellow with a subtle sense of humor, and a loyal friend. He was always upbeat, never letting anything get him down. Throughout his cadet years he was a great representative of New Jersey, constantly reminding all of them of the virtues of the “Garden State.” This caused some ribbing, but he thoroughly enjoyed the exchanges and never backed down. At graduation he was commissioned in the Field Artillery. Jack went on CAMID and in August he married the former Bette May Schocklin at West Point. They had been friends since high school. The marriage was blessed with two daughters. The Ground General School at Ft. Riley, the Artillery School at Ft. Bliss and Ft. Sill, and the Infantry School at Ft. Benning followed. He joined the 1st Cavalry Division in Japan in 1949, serving in the Korean Conflict, 1950–51, as battery commander, B Battery, 82nd Field Artillery and Battalion S-3, receiving the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. He was promoted to the rank of captain. From 1951–52, following rotation from Japan, he was with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg. He transferred to Ordnance in 1952 and was at Aberdeen Proving Ground from 1952–56, serving as Chief of the Recoilless Rifle and Mortar Test Section. Then, a three-year tour in Germany at the Ordnance School and Engineering—Ordnance School as operations officer and promotion to major. From 1939–62 he was with R&D Division at the Army Rocket and Guided Missile Agency in Huntsville, Alabama. During 1960–62 he was Chief of the Shillelagh Branch, R&D Directorate. U.S. Army Ordnance Missile Command, being responsible for the research and development aspects of the missile and fire control components of the Shillelagh, receiving the Commendation Medal. His technical competence and devotion to duty were mentioned in the citation. Jack resigned his Regular Army commission in 1962, entering the Reserves from which he retired in 1968. He moved to the Boston area, studied law, and at the time of his untimely death, was at the NASA Electronics Research Center in Cambridge where he was manager of Technical Planning, Office of Advanced Technical Research. He was held in high esteem by his colleagues, who remember his leadership, total dedication to his work, and his inspiration to co-workers. Jack lived his life fully. He enjoyed skiing and sailing and summers at Cape Cod. He loved his country and family. He was a good man, a good son, a good husband and father, and a loyal, true friend. He was respected and loved by all who knew him. He is greatly missed and always remembered. His classmates and his wife

admin