Location on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Washington, D. C. Panel 22E  Line 054

Palacios' William Hamlin Becomes County's Fifth Viet Nam Fatality
By Ron Fenski
 

PALACIOS--Palacios suffered its first Viet Nam war fatality recently when Army Specialist Four William Lloyd Hamlin was killed in action.

The 23-year-old Matagorda Countian was on a security mission when his division was engaged in a flash fire fight with the enemy. His death took place on June 22 and makes him the fifth countian to die in the Southeast Asia conflict.

Arrival time of the body to the United States and on to Palacios is still unknown at this point.

Specialist Hamlin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Reagan Hamlin, Palacios.

He was named for his Uncle William Lloyd Queen who was the first Palacios fatality in World War Two.

A graduate of Palacios High School, Hamlin participated in all of the school sports, was an active member of FFA and later attended Southwestern Business College.

Specialist Hamlin had definite convictions on the U. S. stand in Viet Nam, his parents told this reporter. He believed in being there despite the ominous conditions.

He had suffered prior injury when his tank hit a land mine, and many times traveled down the dangerous Rt. 1.

He entered the U. S. Army Sept. 1964 and received his basic training at Fort Polk, La. He had specialized training at Fort Knox, Ky and spent 18 months in Germany with Company B, 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Division.

His tour of duty in Viet Nam began Sept. 11, 1966.

The relatives bereaved are Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin, a sister Mrs. Alta Marie Patrick of Cold Spring, Texas; and a brother, Marine Lance Corporal Tommy Hamlin, age 26, who is stationed at Cherry Point M.C.A.S., North Carolina.
 

The Daily Tribune, June 29, 1967
 

Funeral Services Held Here Monday For William Lloyd Hamlin

Funeral services for SP/4 William Lloyd Hamlin were held Monday, July 3, at 2:30 p.m. in the Church of Christ with Norris Neeley officiating. Interment was in the Palacios Cemetery.

W. L. Hamlin was killed in action in Vietnam on June 22 while on a security mission engaged in fire fight with hostile forces.

A son of Mr. and Mrs. Reagan Hamlin, W. L. was born in Freeport on March 12, 1943. He attended the Palacios schools, graduating with the class of 1962.

He joined the U. S. Army in September, 1964. He took his basic training at Ft. Polk, La., his specialized training at Fort Knox, Ky. and served 18 months in Germany before being sent to Vietnam on September 11, 1966.

He is survived by his parents, a sister, Mrs. Alta Marie Patrick of Coldspring, Texas and a brother Lance Corporal Tommy Hamlin, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Palacios Beacon, July 6, 1967
 

HAMLIN

Funeral services were held for Thomas Reagan Hamlin, Sr., 68, on Dec. 23, 1983 at 4 p.m. in the Palacios Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Nolan Balch and Shan Jackson officiating. Interment followed at Palacios Cemetery.

Hamlin died Dec. 21, 1983 at Wagner General Hospital. He was the son of Orvil Byron Hamlin and Allie Bell. He was affiliated with the Church of Christ, resided in the city for 38 years and was employed by Matagorda

Survivors include his wife, Edna Queen Hamlin; one daughter, Alta Marie White of Cold Springs, TX; one son, Thomas R. Hamlin, Jr. of Rosenberg; one sister, Pauline Hamlin Tyler of Houston; three brothers, Orvil Byron and Raymond of Palacios, and William Bonard Hamlin of Sweeny.

Pallbearers were: James A. Alton, Kenneth Peterson, James P. Nelson, Bill Dorries, Burt Johnson and Charles

Palacios Beacon, December 28, 1983
 

Photos of W. L. and Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin courtesy of Mrs. Edna Hamlin.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial rubbing courtesy of Anette Uher.