MISSING IN ACTION IN VIETNAM FOR 30 YEARS, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PILOT IS FINALLY LAID TO REST
Posted for: JOHN SMITH HAMILTON:

LAS CRUCES SUN NEWS

2 November 1997

MISSING IN ACTION IN VIETNAM FOR 30 YEARS, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PILOT IS FINALLY LAID TO REST

By Kathy Sykes Howell


FORT BAYARD -

It was a cloudless blue sky Friday morning - the type of New Mexico sky that goes on forever.

Against that sky flew U.S. Air Force F-4F fighter jets in the missing man formation, with the lonely sound of tape piercing the silence in the Fort Bayard National Cemetery.

It was an occasion tinged with tears and triumph as a long overdue funeral service was conducted for a Vietnam War era pilot coming home for the very last time.

A casket draped with the American flag contained the remains of Colonel John Smith "Jack" Hamilton, who was listed as missing in action for 30 years.

Hamilton was shot down while flying a search and rescue operation near Hanoi on 19 April 1967.

Recently, the Vietnamese government turned over Hamilton's remains to the United States government and Hamilton's positive identification was made through DNA testing.

Friday's funeral marked the end of decades of uncertainty for Hamilton's family and friends.

Fort Bayard was chosen as Hamilton's final resting place because he was born there on 3 September 1926, and was also raised there.

Later, Hamilton moved to Silver City, where he attended high school and eventually graduated from what was then New Mexico Western College .

Wearing crisp blue and white dress uniforms, a military honor guard unit comprising young men and women from Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo gave Hamilton his final salute.

Family, friends, former classmates and local and state political officials attended the service.

"Jack's wife said that he was a fighter pilot first," said the officiating chaplain. "He loved to fly and was very proud to serve his country. That meant the world to him."

Honor guard pall bearers precisely folded the flag and then one held it to his chest with folded arms, kneeling while presenting it to Hamilton's widow, Jane.

Seated next to their mother were Hamilton's two children, Jill and John.

"It was like a big bang to see the hearse drive up," said Rheba Grauten, Hamilton's sister. "His was a very moving ceremony and we're especially appreciative of the efforts the Air Force gave to make this possible today."

Several local officials attended the funeral, including State Rep. Murray Ryan.

"My friendship with the Hamiltons dates back to the 1930's," he said. "It's been a long time since I've been so inspired. The full military honors were very appropriate today. What an emotional jolt after 30 years."

Also present at Hamilton's funeral were many Vietnam War veterans.

"It reminds us that there's still people unaccounted for and missing in action," said James Nemec, president of Vietnam Veterans of America in Luna County.

He and many other Vietnam veterans from the area traveled to the service to pay respect to a fallen hero.

"Miracles can still happen," Nemec said. "I honestly believe that others will be found like this on today. The ceremony was very touching and brought back heartbreaking memories."

The names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall have either a diamond shape or a plus sign next to each name. A diamond indicates the person is confirmed dead, while a plus sign means the person remains missing or is a prisoner of war.

Of the 1,300 that are designated by a plus sign, there will be one less after Friday's funeral.

After a lifetime of unanswered questions, the plus sign next to Colonel John Smith "Jack" Hamilton may finally be replaced with a diamond.
Posted by: CLAY MARSTON
Email: CMARSTON@INTERLOG.COM
Relationship: BIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCHER - USAF
Monday, October 24, 2005
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