Jack Hamlin, World War II veteran from Springfield, has died at the age of 102

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Jack Hamlin, the last remaining Springfield survivor of D-Day, has died at the age of 102.

Hamlin was honored last month on the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Normandy. Hamlin was supposed to be in Normandy for the special ceremonies, but he recently broke his collarbone and ribs in a fall.

He was instead honored at The Montclair assisted living facility. During the event, they designated June 6 as “Jack Hamlin Day” and a key to the city from Springfield Mayor Ken McClure in front of over 100 well-wishers.

Hamlin attended Springfield Central High School and Drury along with his close friend, Bob Barker, of ‘Price is Right’ and ‘Happy Gilmore’ fame.

Both enlisted when World War II broke out. Barker ended up in the Navy, seeing no combat action. Hamlin tried to enlist, but because he’d had rheumatic fever that left him with an enlarged heart, he was turned down by both the Marine Corps and the Navy.

Hamlin has received many honors over the years and traveled to Pearl Harbor and Normandy several times, even meeting Queen Elizabeth II in 1994 at a 50th anniversary ceremony at Normandy. But being honored in his hometown is extra special, just as he is to the community that returns the love.

“For a northside boy from the other side of the tracks to get a key to the city is something I love,” Hamlin said. “The city has been great to me all my life. There are so many other men who lost their lives, and I honor them today as if they are right next to me. June 6, 1944, may be 80 years ago, but it will never escape my mind. It will always be with me.”

Many people who knew Hamlin honored him with memories and thanked him for his service on his Facebook page.

His sister Alice Lowe was a familiar face for many as one of the original hosts of KY3′s Children’s Hour during the 1950s.

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