New-York tribune., 1922-06-27
Marine Flyer
And AidDie in
Gettysburg Fall
Capt. George W. Hamilton
Leading Squadron When
His Plane Goes Into More
Spin and Plunges 500 Fl.
One of Corps War Heroes
Won Decorations for Work
in France: Sergeant Mar
Tin. Mechanic. Also Killed
ss,e,oi casie to Ths Trbprc

Ok ID I NJ 'NHo 49,
George ". Hamilton OF the Marine
Corps. and Gunnery Sergeant George
4. Martin, Of Buffalo. we're killed in
an nlrpiane crash near Gettysburg at
o'clock to-day. Their machine.
De Haviland. drove downward At an
angle Of l5 degrees when at height
OF no. more than 100 feet. j struck
the ground at a terrific rate Of speed
Captain Hamilton was killed instantly
sereean. Martin died before he could
be hurried TO Gettysburg Hospital.
The accident occurred while squad
ron Of four De Havilands was flying ln
battle formation. IN connection VITA
the mancuvers OF the marines, within
three quarters OF a mile OF Gcttys-
burg Captain Hamilton was leading
the squadron Others IN charge Of
plares with him were Captain +. J.
Nulcahv. Lieutenant William !. Wal
iacc and Lieutenant W y. Culberson.
Thcv we're fying at about 500 feet
when Captain Hamilton signnled 70
land. He started 10 come down. and
his plane turned into a nose spin and
0TCrnrU 10 NANUAM ANN A'HN ~ ttt
ground. The engine then started with
roar. but tho plane drove forward
and downward at an angle OF about 10
degrees and struck the GROUND. gong
al about $50 miles an hour. The ma
chine was demolished, the engine driN-
On into the rear cockpit and both men
badly crushed.
Misjudged His Distance
board Of inquest was named,
hoaded BY CAPTAIN Louis J. Bourne. i
Is probable that the board will md the
accident due TO the altometer on the
airplane. which showed a height Of
about 1000 feet. but as il register
from sea level this meant about 800
feet above the ground j. is believed
that Cantain Hamilton, who had been
accustomed 90 flying near sea levei
overlooked his proximity % the ground
and when he dropped thought he had
more distance within which 20 rgnt
his machine than he actually had.
Deep regret was expressed on al
side sin Marine Corps circles tonight
over the death Of Captain Hamilton
who was brilliant and able oHlcer
with fne record.
FNn Z No IFNNhNf " N'NNNNA.NN AN''.t.f
WASHINGTON. June 26. The death
IN an airplane accident to-day at Get
tysburg Of Captain George ". Hamil-
ton. with his mechanician. Sergeant
George r. Martin. removes from the
Marine Corps two Of the most heroic
figures Captain Hamilton served WITH
the 9th Marines overseas and was IN
all the actions from the Belleau Wood
10 the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
Won Two War Decorations
After the Bellcau Wood engagement
Hamilton was promoted 20 the RANK oi
major and placed IN command oil INC
% Battalion Of the 9th Marires. AS
the commander Of this unit he especial
lv distinguished himself. being awarded
the Distinguished Service Cross for
gallantry in action, and later was
decorated with the French CroX DC
Guorrc with palm for his leadership
in the capture Of Blanc Mont Ridge
which was one Of the bloodiest fights
OF tho war.
Among tho Marine Corps paintings
depicting the part played by the oth
Marines IN the war, Us one showing
Captain Hamilton leading his men IN
the latter engagement. ms painting
which - hanging in the Office Of Act
ing Secretary OF the Navy Roosevelt
carries this explanation: The last night
OF the war. United States Marines ur-
der command Of Major George hamil-
ton. crossing the Meusc River on pom
4 toon bridges constructed by the 2d Reg
imont Of Engineers in the face Of a
deadly barrarc. The action took place
on the night Of November l0-ll, re-
suting in tho successful establish.
mcnt of q bridgchead looking toward
the further advance Of the I'd Division
on Montdidicr.'
Captain Hamilton resigned from tho
marine corps on March 20. 1920, but
was unable 20 resist the urge OF a mill
tary career and he was recommissioned
on March %. 1921 The humdrum
life Of = marine barracks. however,
soon pallcd on him and he was trans
ferred 10 the marine aviation corps
and had become one o. the most
proficient pilots in the service.
He was thc son o. Charles a. Hamil-
ton. Washington correspondent OF
THE Buffalo Times" He was unmar'
ried.