http://www.west-point.org/family/adbc/new_files/hamilton2.htm
Posted on 04/16/2008 2:21:39 PM PDT by I still care
My uncle, Weldon Hamilton, passed away last night.
I thought the FR community would like to hear about this man who gave so much of himself for our country.
He was captured in the Phillipines. He was on the Bataan Death March. He was beaten, he was starved, he worked forced labor in their mines, he was transported on their prison ships.
He saw the bomb explode on Nagasaki and watched his comrades be executed. He was held in Japan for years. When he came home, he worked for years to make people aware of the sacrifice our soldiers made, being an active participant in the NM march every year, except this last.
Here is part of an article I found about him.
He dove for the dirt as a shell whizzed over his head. But it found its mark. After hitting the trees, the shell splintered into shrapnel, striking a man standing guard behind him. Dug in behind a riverbank, Weldon Hamilton hastily wiped away the man's blood that splattered on his cheek. Covered in dirt, half starved and beyond exhaustion, he had only one terrified thought.
"I wanted to run," he said. "But, during war, the most feared thing is being a coward. You know your friends are watching you, and, no matter what, you have to act brave, even if you're shaking in your boots."
And Hamilton was shaking in his boots. But even later, when his boots and the rest of his possessions were gone, he still didn't run.
But don't even think of calling Hamilton a hero. "I'm just a survivor," he said.
This survivor is one of the more than 78,000 U.S. and Philippine soldiers who, after surrendering to the Japanese in 1942, were forced to march more than 65 miles through the scorching heat of the Philippine jungles to prison camps. Fifteen thousand soldiers died during one of the most devastating events of World War II -- the Bataan Death March.
Hamilton may have been one of the lucky ones who made it out alive, but he doesn't credit his survival to luck. "I'm made from tough stock," he said.
More here. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IBP/is_7_45/ai_78177013
http://www.west-point.org/family/adbc/new_files/hamilton2.htm
As a youth I knew a man, Bill Zumar of Comanche, Oklahoma, who had the exact experience that your uncle had. Bill died in the 1990’s. Those men will always be my heroes!
I thank you for posting and your Uncle for his service.
God Bless.
A brave man is one who doesn't run, even when he's scared.
My your Uncle rest in peace and find comfort in a better place.
God Rest his soul and bring His blessings to you and your family.
There is no greater duty in life than to fight evil. Your uncle has earned his place in heaven.
We are losing more and more of our brave World War II veterans--so much history and bravery that is very rare these days!
Our servicemembers from all wars have paid a high price for our freedoms. Let us never forget!!
A good book about the Bataan Death March is "Ghost Soldiers", by Hampton Sides.
God Bless your uncle, you, and your family.
God bless your uncle. What a heck of a tough guy. May the Lord welcome him into the Kingdom of Heaven.
condolences to you and your family for your loss
Rest in peace Mr. Hamilton.
Enjoy your new home.
Thank you for your service and example.
I went out with the daughter of a Bataan survivor before I got out of the Army in 1968, he told me that he was glad he had all girls.
My Father in Law was shot down in 1943, and was a guest of the Germans, his Great Grandson is being dunked in July, he is very happy.
God bless your uncle. He sounds like he was a very unselfish person. I once knew Mr. Ed Dean, head of the Texas High Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. who almost died during the Bataan Death March. He too was amazing fellow.
Time is doing what Hitler and Tojo couldn't -- stopping these incredible individuals.
My prayers are with you in this time of loss.
Thank you and God bless you, Mr. Hamilton.
Of interest to you Ping.
Uncle Weldon, you’re my hero too. I salute you. Godspeed.
A true hero.
We thank you.
We bless you.
Rest in peace forever.
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