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

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri (KY3) – Jack Hamlin, the last living D-Day survivor from Springfield, 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 broke his collarbone and ribs in a recent fall.

Instead, he was honored at The Montclair nursing facility. During the event, June 6 was declared “Jack Hamlin Day” and Springfield Mayor Ken McClure presented him with a key to the city in front of more than 100 well-wishers.

Hamlin attended Springfield Central High School and Drury along with his close friend Bob Barker, known from “The Price is Right” and “Happy Gilmore”.

Both enlisted at the outbreak of World War II. Barker eventually joined the Navy but did not take part in any combat. Hamlin attempted to enlist but was rejected by both the Marine Corps and Navy because he suffered from rheumatic fever, which caused an enlarged heart.

Hamlin has been honored many times over the years, traveling to Pearl Harbor and Normandy several times. He even met Queen Elizabeth II at a 50th anniversary ceremony in Normandy in 1994. But being honored in his hometown is special, as is being honored by the community that returns the honor.

“For a boy from across the tracks from the north to get a key to the city is something I love,” Hamlin said. “The city has been great to me my whole life. There are so many other men who lost their lives and I honor them today as if they were right next to me. June 6, 1944 may have been 80 years ago, but I will never forget it. 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 to many as she was one of the original hosts of KY3’s “Children’s Hour” in the 1950s.

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