The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1922-07-29
Tragedy of Captain Hamilton
Adds to AppaIIngly Long
List of Victims.
CAREFUL OR DARING, THEY GO
Is It Luck, AViators Ask, or Are They
Needless of Minor Dangers Since
the War - Distinguished
Names in List.

Washington.-After facing death a
thousand times with the marines at
Chateau Thierry, st. Mihiel, Belleau
Wood and in the two Meuse-Argonne
Offensives, Capt. George d. Hamilton
returned to this country and peace
times to die few days ago while pl-
loting an 8!rplane in sham battle in
Gettysburg His machine crashed to
earth from height Of 400 feet above
the historic battlefield.
In France Captain HamiltOn'S rec
ord for daring and for hairbreadth es-
capes was not surpassed by that of
any one in the A. +. +. He received
the Distinguished Service Cross from
his own government, and was dec
GRATED twice by the French for gal-
lantry. \ thrilling war painting com
melnorates one of his deeds. 1t de-
pets him. at that time major, lead
Ing a battalion of marines across a
poutoOn bridge over the Meuse un-
der the heavy artillery and machine
gun fire in an effort to establish a
bridgehead.
Uninjured by enemy bullet, gas, or
high explosive shell, Captain Hamil-
ton was mustered out of the service
after the armistice. He rejOined, how
ever. II few months later, and en-
tered the aviation corps. In the air
the former soldier of the sea" dis
played the same courage and audacity
for which he had been known at the
front These qualities. combined with
skill and natural aptitude for fly
ing. soon put him in the forerank of
our airmen.
Then came the end. With a mum
Der of others of his corps Captain
Hamilton was sent to take part in
the maneuvrrs IA. Gettysburg. where
his old comrades, the marines, were
playing at war. While scouting ahead
of the Fifth regiment of marines
something went wrong" and death
claimed life that had seemed
charmed against all mishap.
The passing of Captain Hamilton
adds another name to the already
dreadfully long list of airmen who
dared every peril in war or in epoch
making lights across land and sea
ana lived-only to perish in some cas-
ual enterprise that hardly seemed
venture. To compile the appalling
record. it is neceS >ary To 20 back to
the days of pioneer aviation, when
men like Arch lhNey. Ralph John
+ 4 ~ 81
death in their rudmentary machines
The history OF the air since the wal
7 brought aircraft to Il high degree OF
perfection, has caused 1t 10 become
almost IN omen among aviatorS that
their best may win hundred odds Of
CANDLES with the grim reaper and tibet
lose when everything seemed in theil
favor.
No country has been exempt. Eng
land. France. America, Italy. In fact
every nation where flying is com
mon has furnished its quota of vic
tins.
carlstrom's Care Of No Avail.
Seven years ago Victor CarlStrou
WIS regarded as one Of Tie great air
men IN America. He was already 1
holder of three American records wheI
in 1916 ne attempted nonstop High
from Chicago 10 New York. for th'
New York Times. He was unSuccesS
full in this. being forced 10 laSd a
Erie. Pa. and IlammondSport, y. Y
When he finally got out of his plan,
on Governors island. CarlStrom said
Il shall never be killed Ivy takini
chances. because do not believe il
taking chances Gat some day my ma
chine will collapse and l will get II
Just as 50 many other aviators hav
gotten it"
His prophecy came true. on May
1917. while flying ut Newport News
In, as an instructor lieutenant ia tn,