Honoring Lt Col David Hamilton
A Legacy of Courage and Dedication
LtCol David Hamilton (USAF, Ret.), the last living D-Day Pathfinder Pilot, dedicated his life to service and bravery. On June 6, 1944, he piloted a C-47 aircraft, leading pathfinder paratroopers to Normandy for the D-Day invasion. This remarkable mission was just one of many highlights in his extraordinary career, which spanned decades and inspired generations.
Career Highlights
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Enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1941 and trained as a C-47 pilot.
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Flew pathfinder missions during D-Day, Operation Dragoon, and Operation Market Garden.
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Logged 51 combat missions in RB-26 attack bombers during the Korean War.
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Earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, nine Air Medals, and numerous other honors.
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Played a crucial role in intelligence during the Cuban Missile Crisis as part of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
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Retired in 1963 as a Lieutenant Colonel after a distinguished career in the United States Air Force
Dave Hamilton Bio
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8 December 1941: Enlisted in the Army Air Force, trained as a C-47 pilot.
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Assigned to 436th Troop Carrier Group, 9th Air Force, sent to Bottesford Base, England.
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Went through Pathfinder Pilot training and assigned to Pathfinder Unit.
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Dropped pathfinder paratroopers in:
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June 1944: D-Day, Normandy, France (1 mission)
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August 1944: Dragoon, Southern France (1 mission)
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September 1944: Market Garden, Holland (5 missions)
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23 December 1944: Led C-47s in for a supply drop to the 101st Airborne at Bastogne.
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Performed various other Troop Carrier Group (TCG) duties:
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Eisenhower’s “airline” between England and France after D-Day.
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Flew copious amounts of gasoline to Patton and evacuated wounded.
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Received 4 Air Medals, 9 stars on ETO campaign ribbon, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, Order of William from Holland, and awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal; also earned jump wings from the 82nd Airborne.
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Flew B-24s to deliver fuel to Patton.
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1945: Separated from Army.
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1945–1950: Flew C-47s and C-54s for Trans Air, and then Constellations for American Overseas Airlines.
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1950: Back on active duty with Military Air Transport Service.
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Served as Operations Officer and helped develop procedures for evacuation of wounded from Korea.
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Flew C-47s and B-25s for flight pay eligibility.
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1952: Went to Flight School at Langley for RB-26s.
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1952: Went to Korea with 37th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force.
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Flew RB-26s ("I liked them a lot, they were faster than C-47s and they had GUNS!!").
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Flew 51 missions, received Distinguished Flying Cross and five more Air Medals, and two more Presidential Unit Citations.
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1953: Air Force Reserves, Eastern Air Defense Command, 329th Fighter Squadron.
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Attended jet school, flew T-33s, F-80s, F-84s, F-86s.
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On staff EADC, mobilization assignment to weapons development.
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Involved in the development of the Sidewinder missile.
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1961: Defense Intelligence Agency at Dover AFB.
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Analyzed high-altitude photos taken by U2s during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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1963: Retired from the USAF as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Celebrating a Centennial
On July 16, 2022, LtCol Hamilton celebrated his 100th birthday with the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team at the Frederick Army Airfield in Oklahoma. This special event included airborne operations, where WWII paratroopers jumped in honor of his legacy. LtCol Hamilton also had the opportunity to sit at the controls of a historic aircraft once more, showcasing his enduring connection to aviation history.
David Hamilton, photo courtesy by, Luke Sharrett WWII ADT.JPG
A Life Remembered
LtCol Hamilton was more than a decorated war hero; he was a humble storyteller, a mentor, and a passionate advocate for preserving the stories of the Greatest Generation. His dedication to educating others about history and his remarkable contributions to aviation and military operations will never be forgotten.
#14 Chalk Flight Hamilton front row, far right.jpg
Hamilton with the Boys
Hamilton's Birthday in Rome 1944
A Legacy in the Air: Watch Lt. Col. Dave Hamilton, the last living D-Day Pathfinder pilot, soar once more during his 100th birthday celebration airborne operations.
Hamilton 100th Birthday Airborne Operations - July 16, 2022
Hamilton 100th Birthday Airborne Operations - July 16, 2022
_Boogie Baby_ aircraft In Flight
Jumpmaster Roycroft Greets Hamilton in flight
WWII ADT MOV
Dave Hamilton Photo Gallery
Operation Neptune: Flight Records
Documents of Valor
A glimpse into the historic Operation Neptune on D-Day, June 6, 1944. These documents showcase the meticulous planning, courage, and leadership of Lt. Col. David Hamilton, Pathfinder pilot for the 82nd Airborne Division.
Click on the images to see a larger version and annotated caption.
