Evening star., 1934-09-02
VaIOrOus World War Leader
Remembered by Marine Vets
Old 10Th Company Pens Letter to Father
of George ". Hamilton, Who
Died in Peace-Time Duty.

A Marine Corps skipper" who led
Wars major engagements unscathed,
only to be killed when his afrplane
crashed during a peace-time maneu-
yer. has been paid a glowing tribute by
those veterans who followed him
through Belleau Wood, scissors and
a dozen other battles.
In the tribute, a letter written to
the wartime officers father, Charles
A. Hamilton, well known veteran
Washington newspaper correspondent.
and signed by all surviving members
of his company, the hard boiled" at
titude ascribed to the typical Marine
Is nowhere present.
The skipper was George w. Ham
ilton, one-time star athlete at Central
High School, a native of the Capital
and once one Of its best known native
sons"
Cited for Bravery.
Hamilton was appointed a second
lieutenant In the Marines in 1918, and
was captain when he went to France
during the World War. He was award
ed citations for bravery by his own
and many allied countries as leader OF
the 49th Company. lst Battalion. 5th
Regiment, United States Marines.
In one engagement, all officers OF
his battalion were killed, and Capt.
Hamilton became Maj. Hamilton, brew
eted on the field.
He returned to the United States a
major, after having led his battalion
across the Meuse on the night Of No
vember 10, 1918. the day before the
Armistice at 12:35 pm. November IL.
After the war he transferred to the
Air Corps Of the Marines, and 1t was
while leading his squadron in maneu-
vers over the battlefield at Gettysburg
on June 6, 1922, that he was killed in
a crash. He and his squadron were
taking part in the great Gettysburg
anniversary celebration at the time.
Remembered ut Reunion.
During the past Summer members
of the "Old 49th" met in New York
for a reunion. They discussed their
16-year-old war memories. Capt, or
Mai. Hamilton's name recurred again
and again. A committee was appointed
to draft a letter to his father, telling
him what "the outfit" thought of his
son.
Here is the letter, as received by
Mr.. Hamilton here, signed by the
veterans:
"Mr. Charles A. Hamilton,
National Press Club,
Washington, D. c.
"Dear Mr.. Hamilton:
Never have two o. more men OF
the old 49th Company gathered to-
gether without thinking and talking
Of your splendid son, George w. Ham
ilton.
"As fine young first lieutenant,
he organized our company in the
United States, whipped it together in
the training areas, taught us to hike
and drill and fight, led us into action
throughout the war as captain and
major, and yet remained to us, as he
always will be, just plain Skipper
George. A true shipmate, splendid
soldier, an inspired leader. real Ma
rine, he bore charmed life through
out the war, and seemed especially
destined to amalgamate and command
one of the finest companies of fighting
men ever assembled in any army. He
nobly commanded a combat company
and q front-line battalion In the
severest battles in which American
troops participated during the World
War. He will go down in history as
one Of the greatest company COM
manders in the American Expedition
ary Forces.
Spirit an Inspiration.
I'VE cannot too strongly express
our love and admiration for the son
whom you gave to us and to the serv-
ice of his country, and we deeply
mourn with you his passing in a SIM
pie peace-time maneuver. However,
like true Marine, he died in action,