John Walter Hamlet

Saturday, May 20th, 2006

John Walter Hamlet, 82, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley, WA.
He was born on September 5, 1923 in Hartford, Kentucky, the son of Edwin & Rena Holliman Hamlet. He was raised and attended school in Hartford.

On January 8, 1941 John enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving his country in the South Pacific during WW II. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the USS West Virginia, which sank during the attack on the morning of December 7, 1941. He also served on the USS Worden, USS Thomas and USS Neshoba, earning 13 battle stars and the Pacific Ribbon during his tour in WWII. He also served during the Korean War, earning 3 more battle stars with the special support group CCRAK, Army units 8240 & 8156 and task force Scannon.

After his discharge in 1970, and 30 years of military service, John worked as a pilot & master on a 550 passenger cruise boat in New York. In 1971 he came to Washington and work on a fire crew for the Dept. of Natural Resources in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties. He made his home in Bellingham and in 1972 began a 23 year career with Global Associates as a Foreign Duty Contractor at the Marshall Islands Headquarters. John moved to Sedro-Woolley in 2001.

John was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors, the American Legion in Bellingham and the V.F.W. and Kentucky Colonels.
He is survived by 1 brother, Edwin Hamlet, in North Carolina; a sister, Matilda ‘Tillie’ McBride and her husband, Perry of Arlington, WA; 2 care giving nieces, Vivian Lee Finnson Greg of Bellingham and Bette Jenkins Richard of Sedro-Woolley and numerous other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin & Rena Hamlet; 2 brothers, James & Albert Hamlet and a sister, Dorothy Valentine.

At his request there will be no services. His ashes will be placed at the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Hawaii. John requests that memorials be made to the Salvation Army, 2912 Northwest Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.