The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1945-08-02
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
TROY NEWS
1t. Col. Hamaker


1t. Col. Hamaker
Robert II. Hamaker of Troy has /
received word from Officers Train I
ing School in Camp Hood, Tex, that
his son, Robert F.. has recently been
promoted to the rank of Lieuten-
ant Colonel.
At l7-iust fresh from high school
1t. Col. Hamaker began his mill
tary career when he enlisted IN
the Marines. Four years of his life
was spent in the South Seas-one
wear on Guam and the remainder
of this time he spent principally
in China and Japan. When this
period was concluded he resumed
civilian life and held position with
the Welfare Society in Spokane,
Wash. At this time he was Reserve
Officer with the State Guards.
When war was declared in l941 he
was among the first to be called
Leaving behind his wife and three
daughters he served as lieutenant
in the 161st Regiment Of Infantry.
Perchance it was because OF the
knowledge acquired when he was a
marine or mayhap it was fate but
at any rate he returned to the Pa
cific. While on active service IN
the jungles of Guadalcanal he was
made captain.
There followed for him as for all
the men in that theatre the strug-
gle for supremacy on one island
after another, and Capt Hamaker
through his perseverance, executive
ability and genial personality went
up another step to become Major
Hamaker After two and a half
years in the South Pacific he was
returned to the United States. At
this time on a medical furlough. He
visited his father in Troy.
First he was sent to Texas where
he was hospitalized but California
seemed more adapted to his require
ments for convalesence and he was
sent there where he remained until
he was sufficiently recovered to en-
able him to return to Camp Hood
and attend school.
While 1t. Col. Hamaker is not a
Troy boy he is well-known here as
it was his custom to spend many
of his boyhood vacations in this Vi
cinity. His father retired engln-
eer on the Great Northern, lives
on the outskirts Of town. He is a
veteran Of the Spanish American
War and was an active rallroader
for 40 years.
With Our Boys in the Service
Francis Cody CCM USNR who
has been spending a 30-day fur
Tough with his mother, Mrs. VIM.
Cody, and other relatives and
friends here left Sunday evening
for Spokane where he plans on
having der Il work do~n lsaiore he
reports back to Bremerton for re-
assignment Many friends and rela-
tives honored him with dinners and
picnics While he was home. just
prior to his departure his mother
had all her family together for a
reunion at her home. Those present
were Mr.. and Mrs. George Cody and
family from Bull lake, Mr.. and
Mrs. John Ole, Merna and Johnna
Ole, and Francis Cody, CCM USNR.
Miss Cunningham from San Fran
cisco was also guest.
Capt. Russell Anderson is SPEND
ing part of 30-day leave at the
D. f. Fewkes home with his wife
and little son, Ronald. Coming from
: the European area with ten and a
half months service in Germany
France and Austria. Capt Ander-
son arrived in Spokane on Thurs
day where Mrs. Anderson met him
Together they came to Troy on
Friday While overseas Capt. An
derson was awarded the Bronze
Star for meritorious service.
Friends in Troy and elsewhere
sympathize with 1t Smith Mcneil
when thew learn that his stay In
England General Hospital, Atlanta
Ga, will be prolonged an extra SIX
or eight weeks more than anticipat-
ed. Going along board walk thai
was wet with spray from the ocean
and which is on the hospita
grounds, 1t. Mcneil slipped anc
broke his injured leg. His condi.
ton is reported good.