Paul James Hamm passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, with his daughter, Barbara, beside him at Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary, NC. He was less than a month away from turning 97. Born in Washington, DC on Feb. 28, 1922 to Elizabeth Nixon Hamm and William Paul Hamm, “PJ” grew up in Tacoma Park, MD. He received an appointment to West Point where he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant with a BA in Military Science, Civil Engineering, and his Pilot Wings on June 6, 1944. “PJ” was then attached to the 8th Air Force where he provided B-24 flight instruction based in England flying reconnaissance over eastern Europe. Later his home base became Guam where he instructed pilots for B-29s, B-50s, and B-47s which would fly training missions over Tokyo. He flew a long list of bombers, fighters, and cargo aircraft which exemplifies his passion for flying. “PJ’s” assignments covered numerous bases, including an assignment in Frobisher Bay Canada, the Pentagon, and a tour of duty in Vietnam. After 35 years of military service to our country, “PJ” retired as a full bird Colonel in the summer of 1974 at Patrick Air Force Base/Cape Canaveral Space Center. “PJ” received many awards during his service including multiple Legion of Merit awards, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, along with several Air Force Commendation Medals, and numerous other awards. “PJ” was very altruistic making generous donations to multiple causes across a wide spectrum of non-profit organizations. He enjoyed gardening following in his father’s footsteps, being a ham radio operator, an avid crossword puzzle solver, board game and card game player, and even a few summers of being a Kansas farm hand. He was married to Darlene Marie Vette for nearly 50 years before her passing away in 2003. “PJ” is survived by his daughter, Barbara Hamm Crews of Cary, NC, son-in-law William Crews of Cary, NC, and his granddaughter, Leslie Crews, of Cary, NC. A memorial service for Paul James Hamm is being held at Glenaire Retirement Community on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nursing Scholarships to “The PHI Foundation” (Presbyterian Homes Inc.), c/o Glenaire Retirement Community, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18