Joseph Lawrence Hamilton

HAMILTON, JOSEPH L. February 13, 1930 to October 23, 2011 Joseph L. Hamilton, SFC-US Army (Ret.) passed away of natural causes on October 23, 2011 in Virginia Beach, VA surrounded by his daughter, Teresa Bower and her family. Joe Hamilton was born on February 13, 1930 in Los Angeles, CA and enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 7, 1946 and retired after 20 years. During his illustrious career in the Army, he served with the 11th Airborne Division, US Constabulary (7766th Horse Troop) on the East German and Czechoslovakian border and with the 2nd Armored Division, 187th Airborne RCT, 3rd Infantry (Korea), Army Security Agency in East Africa and Germany, 1st Cavalry Division as well as stationed in Fort Ord, CA. He was a combat veteran of six major campaigns: three in Korea and three in Vietnam. Known as "Smokey Joe", among his 16 ribbons and decorations, he earned the US Presidential Unit Citation, Air Medal, Bravery Gold Medal of Greece, Meritorious Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Leaf and Parachute and Glider Badges. His last assignment being MACVSOG (Military Assistance Command - Studies Observations Group - Vietnam) in 1965 - 1966 OPN 35 at Cam Duc, Da Nang and Saigon as a Radio Supervisor. Upon his retirement in 1966, he spent 23 years with the US Post Office in San Diego, CA. He was married for 37 years to his late wife, Ingrid (nee Stoss), with three children and five grandchildren. He was very active with the San Diego Police Department RSVP program since 1997, volunteering over 4,000 of hours of patrol for YANA checks, fingerprinting services and assisting officers. He is survived by his second wife, Jean Muhlig of Bonita, CA; his son Larry Hamilton of San Diego and daughter, Teresa Bower of Virginia Beach, VA.; grandsons Travis Hamilton, Alexander Bower and Joseph Hamilton; granddaughters Victoria Bower and Madison Hamilton. Military honor services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA on Friday, January 20, 2012, at 2:45 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Arrangements under the direction of Smith & Williams Funeral Home/Kempsville, Virginia Beach, VA.