Walter Hamilton was born on February 19, 1942, in Oklahoma. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on July 26, 1960, and completed basic training at MCRD San Diego, California, in October 1960. Pvt Hamilton next attended infantry combat training at MCB Camp Pendleton, California, from October to December 1960, followed by sea duty training at MCRD San Diego from December 1960 to January 1961. His next assignment was as a guard and fire team leader with the Marine Detachment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) from January 1961 to October 1962, and then as a automatic rifleman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division (later redesignated Company G, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division) at Camp Pendleton from October 1962 to May 1964. Cpl Hamilton served as a Guard NCO at the Marine Barracks at Yokosuka, Japan, from May to November 1964, followed by service as a military policeman with the Military Police Company, Headquarters Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa from November 1964 to May 1965, and then deployed to South Vietnam from May 1965 to January 1966. During this time, he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War on October 18, 1965, but managed to escape from his captors and make it back to friendly lines on October 29, 1965. After returning to the United States, Pvt Hamilton served with Headquarters & Service Company at Camp Pendleton from January 1966 until he left active duty on February 3, 1967. Walter Hamilton died on August 11, 2003, and was buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.