Wethersfield High School’s oldest living graduate has been busy in recent days traveling around the state being recognized for both his military service and his longevity. Marvin Hamilton, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S Air Force, now living in Normal, was invited to Veterans Day ceremonies at the Illinois State Fair Sunday, Aug. 13, by Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
The second-highest ranking state official had met Hamilton two years ago at an event and remembered the story of his service — over 32 years covering four world wars, World War II, Korea, the Cold War, and Vietnam. During the main program she recalled Hamilton’s record, thanked him for his “incredible service,” and presented him with a framed copy of the 2023 Veteran’s Day proclamation signed by Gov. JB Pritzker.
Hamilton graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1942 and attended Western Illinois University until enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1943 to join the fighting in World War II. After completion of fighter pilot training he was assigned to the India-Burma-China Theater where he volunteered to fly supplies to China over the Himalayan Mountains, known as “The Hump” in a C-47 transport plane. After several trips he was sent to Kunming, China, where he was tasked with flying all models of aircraft from Kunming to Shanghai.
After the war, Hamilton returned to Kewanee and remained in the Reserves, In 1950 he was recalled by what was now called the U.S. Air Force to fly B-26 Marauders in Korea where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross in combat flying nighttime bombing missions with the 13th Bomb Squadron. By 1955 Hamilton had decided to become a career officer and was assigned to duty in England where he flew the B-45, America’s first jet bomber and the first jet aircraft to carry nuclear weapons.
After being promoted to Captain, Major, and finally, Lt. Colonel, Marvin found himself assigned in 1967 to Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters at Offutt AFB, Omaha, Neb.where his duties included developing and implementing national security plans. He also flew on the Airborne Command Post, a rotation of planes which provides around the clock, around the globe aerial surveillance and are available to the President and Secretary of Defense in the event of a national emergency. While at Offutt, Hamilton also was tasked with flying retired General Jimmy Doolittle, who led a squadron of B-25’s in a famous surprise raid on Tokyo in 1942, as he traveled around the country.
In 1970-71, Lt. Col. Hamilton served as Commander of the 6250th Support Squadron in Saigon, Vietnam, and as Assistant Chief of Staff for Major General Dan Level, Commander of the 7th Air Force at Tan Son Nhut Airfield. For his outstanding service there, Hamilton was awarded the Bronze Star.
His last assignment was at Whiteman AFB in Missouri where he served as Chief of Staff for the base until his retirement in 1974 after 32 years of military service. As a command pilot with over 6,700 flying hours, he flew 21 different aircraft and received four air medals and various commendations. He was interviewed by the University of Florida for their Veteran’s Oral History Project. Those files are now available in the Library Congress and a video of Hamilton’s interview can be seen on the Library of Congress website.
One week later, on Sunday, Aug. 20, Hamilton, and his son, Steve, made the journey to his hometown, his old high school and the annual meeting of the Frank H. Craig Wethersfield Alumni Association where he accepted a plaque in recognition of being Wethersfield High School’s oldest living graduate, and where his military service was also honored.
Hamilton will be 99 in January. He is the son of the late Dale and Effie Hamilton and one of only two of their 10 children who survive, the other being Thomas “Jack,” 95 who lives in California. Two sisters, Margaret Donaldson and Martha Euchaski, who both died in 2021, also lived long lives. Margaret passed away just weeks before her 104th birthday, and Martha and 101.
This was the group’s first annual meeting since 2019 due to COVID-19. WHS Student Council officers assisted with setting up and serving the event and Supt. Dr. Andrew Brooks reported on improvements made around the school this summer and answered questions from alumni. Those attending the reunion, held in the school cafeteria, voted to meet again next year on Aug. 18, 2024, the traditional third Sunday in August date. Officers were elected including Dave Clarke, president; Donna Ericson, vice president; Pam Sellers, treasurer; and Ruth Scott, secretary.
