Hamilton S. Hawkins III | |
---|---|
Born | Fort Buford, North Dakota, U.S. | September 25, 1872
Died | October 19, 1950 Washington, D.C., U.S. | (aged 78)
Buried | |
Service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1894–1936 1941–1943 |
Rank | Brigadier General |
Service number | O447 |
Unit | U.S. Army Cavalry Branch |
Commands | Troop E, 4th Cavalry Regiment 69th Infantry Brigade 1st Cavalry Regiment 3rd Cavalry Regiment 14th Infantry Brigade 1st Cavalry Brigade 1st Cavalry Division Eighth Corps Area |
Wars | Philippine–American War Mexican Border War World War I Occupation of the Rhineland World War II |
Awards | Silver Star (3) Purple Heart |
Alma mater | |
Spouse(s) |
Helen (Smith) Hawkins
(m. 1897) |
Children | 2 |
Relations | Hamilton S. Hawkins (father) Andrew C. Gray (grandfather) George Gray (uncle) Robert Lee Howze (brother in law) Hamilton H. Howze (nephew) |
Hamilton S. Hawkins III (September 25, 1872 – October 19, 1950) was a career officer in the United States Army who attained the rank of brigadier general. A veteran of the Philippine–American War, Mexican Border War, World War I, and the Occupation of the Rhineland, Hawkins served from 1894 until retiring in 1936, then was recalled to active duty for World War II and served from 1941 to 1943. Hawkins was a recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds he received during the Philippine–American War, and he was a three-time recipient of the Silver Star.
The son of Brigadier General Hamilton S. Hawkins (1834–1910) and grandson of Major Hamilton S. Hawkins (1802–1847), Hawkins graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1894 and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Cavalry Branch. Hawkins served in positions of increasing rank and responsibility in the United States and overseas, and completed professional education including the United States Army Command and General Staff College and United States Army War College. In 1912 and 1913, Hawkins took part in an exchange program that enabled him to serve in France and Germany, where he observed advances in Cavalry equipment and tactics immediately prior to the start of World War I. During the war, he served as assistant chief of staff for operations (G-3) on the staff of the 2nd Division, followed by assignment as chief of staff for the 35th Division.
After the First World War, Hawkins continued to serve in high-profile staff and command assignments, including commander of 1st Cavalry Brigade (1929–1934), 1st Cavalry Division (1934–1936), and Eighth Corps Area (1936). He retired in 1936 and resided in Washington, D.C. He was recalled to active duty for World War II, and served as a member of several administrative boards and commissions before retiring again in 1943. In retirement, Hawkins continued to reside in Washington, D.C. He died in Washington on October 19, 1950, and was buried at West Point Cemetery.