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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper June 2017 Page 21
Marines, Residents, Seek Memorial Funds for WWI
Hero Killed at Gettysburg
Marine Captain George W. Hamilton, of World War I fame, survived the Courtesy Photo
bloody Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918 (called the German’s Gettysburg),
with honors, only to perish in a dive bomber crash on the Gettysburg
Battlefield during Marine maneuvers held in 1922.
As America commemorates the 100th anniversary of the country’s entry
into WWI, three Gettysburg residents have partnered with local Marines and
an area museum to establish a memorial in remembrance of two aviators
who died in Gettysburg.
On June 26, 1922, Marine Captain George W. Hamilton, a highly-
decorated World War I Marine officer, was piloting a de Havilland dive
bomber over Gettysburg battlefield, with Gunnery Sergeant George R.
Martin, at the head of the column of 5,500 Marines arriving for training
maneuvers and Civil War reenactments, when their airplane crashed while
attempting to land on the Culp Farm, killing both aviators. The deaths of the
aviators were declared to have occurred in the line of duty, thus making them
the last such deaths to have taken place on the historic battlefield since the Marine Aviator George W. Hamilton
1863 battle itself.
The 2015 publication of the book, The Last to Fall: The 1922 March, Battles, & Deaths of U.S. Marines at
Gettysburg, by local authors Richard D. L. Fulton and James Rada, Jr., which discussed the fatal accident, ultimately
convinced local resident Ronald Frenette that something should be done to honor the two Marines. “I decided that it
was important to bring forth information about these two brave pilots that have been overlooked by history. The best
way to do that was to create a memorial,” Frenette said.
He was subsequently joined in his quest by other residents, including Mike Tallent, and The Last to Fall co-author
Fulton.
The Marine Corps League, Gettysburg Battlefield Detachment #705, established a gofundme site at www.gofundme.
com/hamilton-martin-memorial to help raise the funds needed to create the memorial, Commandant John McQuain
stating, “These Marine aviators were the last line of duty deaths on Gettysburg Battlefield, and it’s an honor to support
a memorial in their recognition.”
The Gettysburg Heritage Center, located at 297 Steinwehr Avenue, also offered the use of a portion of their land
located near the crash site for the placement of the memorial. “We thought it was a great idea to tell a broader story, one
that expands beyond the Civil War,” said Heritage Center President Tammy Myers.
Interested individuals may leave checks or money orders at the Gettysburg Heritage Center, or mail them to the
center. Checks or money orders should be made out to Marine Corps League Gettysburg Battlefield Detachment 705.
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800-383-4595
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Marines, Residents, Seek Memorial Funds for WWI
Hero Killed at Gettysburg
Marine Captain George W. Hamilton, of World War I fame, survived the Courtesy Photo
bloody Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918 (called the German’s Gettysburg),
with honors, only to perish in a dive bomber crash on the Gettysburg
Battlefield during Marine maneuvers held in 1922.
As America commemorates the 100th anniversary of the country’s entry
into WWI, three Gettysburg residents have partnered with local Marines and
an area museum to establish a memorial in remembrance of two aviators
who died in Gettysburg.
On June 26, 1922, Marine Captain George W. Hamilton, a highly-
decorated World War I Marine officer, was piloting a de Havilland dive
bomber over Gettysburg battlefield, with Gunnery Sergeant George R.
Martin, at the head of the column of 5,500 Marines arriving for training
maneuvers and Civil War reenactments, when their airplane crashed while
attempting to land on the Culp Farm, killing both aviators. The deaths of the
aviators were declared to have occurred in the line of duty, thus making them
the last such deaths to have taken place on the historic battlefield since the Marine Aviator George W. Hamilton
1863 battle itself.
The 2015 publication of the book, The Last to Fall: The 1922 March, Battles, & Deaths of U.S. Marines at
Gettysburg, by local authors Richard D. L. Fulton and James Rada, Jr., which discussed the fatal accident, ultimately
convinced local resident Ronald Frenette that something should be done to honor the two Marines. “I decided that it
was important to bring forth information about these two brave pilots that have been overlooked by history. The best
way to do that was to create a memorial,” Frenette said.
He was subsequently joined in his quest by other residents, including Mike Tallent, and The Last to Fall co-author
Fulton.
The Marine Corps League, Gettysburg Battlefield Detachment #705, established a gofundme site at www.gofundme.
com/hamilton-martin-memorial to help raise the funds needed to create the memorial, Commandant John McQuain
stating, “These Marine aviators were the last line of duty deaths on Gettysburg Battlefield, and it’s an honor to support
a memorial in their recognition.”
The Gettysburg Heritage Center, located at 297 Steinwehr Avenue, also offered the use of a portion of their land
located near the crash site for the placement of the memorial. “We thought it was a great idea to tell a broader story, one
that expands beyond the Civil War,” said Heritage Center President Tammy Myers.
Interested individuals may leave checks or money orders at the Gettysburg Heritage Center, or mail them to the
center. Checks or money orders should be made out to Marine Corps League Gettysburg Battlefield Detachment 705.
CALL TODAY FOR A FREE TREE EVALUATION
BY OUR ARBORIST
800-383-4595
Tree Removal/Trimming
Pruning
Stump Grinding
Lot Clearing
MD Tree Expert Lic #904
ISA Cert. #MA-4258A
Licensed & Insured
