Sep/Oct 2005 - Korean War Veterans Association

By Art Lajeunesse
Here are two more brothers
who lost their lives in the
Korean War, James Thomas
and Kenneth Carroll Hamilton,
from Amarillo, Texas.
James was born January 15,
1930; Kenneth on October
26,1932. James attended
West Texas State College in
1949-1950, where he was on
the boxing team. James and
Kenneth enlisted in the USMC
in January 1951.
In Korea, James served with
Company F, 2nd Bn., 5th
Marines, 1st Marine Division.
He was killed in action while
assaulting Hill 812 during the
battle for Kanmunbong Ridge,
on September 17, 1951, only
five days after his brother died
in combat. For his leadership
and valor James was awarded
the Silver Star, the Purple
Heart, the Combat Action
Ribbon, the Korean Service
Medal, the United Nations
Service Medal, the National
Defense Service Medal, the
Republic of Korea Presidential
Unit Citation, and the Korean
War Service Medal. The 5th
Marines suffered 250 casualties
taking Hill 812.
While in Korea, Kenneth
Brothers In Death
Pfc. James Thomas Hamilton Pfc. Kenneth C. Hamilton
The Battle for Kanmunbong
served with Company C, 1st
Bn. 7th Marines, 1st Marine
Division. He was killed in
action September 12, 1951,
while assaulting Hill 673 during
the battle for Kanmunbong
Ridge. Kenneth left his position
to carry ammo to a
machine gun. From there, he
joined an under-strength rifle
squad to help in the final
assault on Hill 673. He was
mortally wounded on this final
assault.
Four members of his company
wrote Kenneth up for the
Navy Cross for his actions in
this final assault. Kenneth was
awarded the Bronze Star, the
Purple Heart, the Combat
Action Ribbon, the Korean
Service Medal, the United
Nations Service Medal, the
National Defense Service
Medal, the Republic of Korea
Presidential Unit Citation, and
the Korean War Service Medal.
This battle for Kanmunbong
Ridge and the Army’s 2nd Inf.
Division battle for Bloody
Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge in
September and October 1951
were the last major offensives
in the Korean’ War.
Thanks to the Hamilton family
for providing the photos of
James and Kenneth.
72
Death Notice of a Member of KWVA
The following notice is submitted for publication:
Name of deceased ____________________________________________________
Date of death ________________________________________________________
Department/Chapter __________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
Army Navy Marine Corps Air Force Coast Guard
Other ______________________________________________________________
Primary Unit of service during Korean War
Submitted by ________________________________________________________
Relationship to deceased________________________________________________
Send to: Membership, P.O. Box 101238, Arlington, VA 22210
“Why Is My Magazine Late?”
We have received several inquiries
recently as to why the two most recent
issues of The Graybeards have been later
than usual. The answer is simple: we
made an executive decision to delay them
to make sure you received the latest news
from the Arlington and Louisiana
Executive Council meetings, rather than
make you wait months for minutes,
revised by-laws, etc.
We will be back to the regular schedule
with the November-December 2005 issue.
Thanks for your patience.
September - October 2005
The Graybeards