The Coolidge Examiner

Graduate Williams Field Typifies The American Spirit

From Williams Field comes a story of a young man and a football game that typifies the spirit of the American people when aroused.

Robert S. Hamill, a husky, personable young chap of 23 years, was recently graduated from Williams Field, Advanced Flying School, commanded by Colonel Bernard A. Bridget. At San Jose State College in California, Hamill was a well liked individual. His name had blazed a trail across sport pages in 1941, for it was in that year that he made the Little All American team, and the Pacific Coast All Conference eleven for the second year running. At right tackle, he had no peer. As a matter of fact, eight of the country's biggest professional teams put in a bid for his services.

The Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Washington Redskins were ready to receive his name on the dotted line, but fate intervened just at the time he was realizing a longstanding ambition.

In the latter part of November, a representative team from San (Continued on Page 4)
(Continued from Page 1)
Jose State set sail for Hawaii, to engage in a traditional battle with the University of Hawaii. Hamill was a member of the team that sailed. On Dec. 6th, the rival elevens were scrimmaging in preparation for the contest that was to take place on the morrow.

Spirits were high, and an atmosphere of friendliness prevailed.

But the dawn looked down on a new development; the sky and earth resounded with the results of a diplomatic double cross. As a result the game was called off.

After eight years of high school junior and senior college football Hamill was stopped short of the goal he had been aiming all that time. He was fighting mad. For a month he waited until a convoy arrived to transfer him and other Americans to the United States.

That month was well spent, for Hamill had become a member of the Honolulu Police Force. Doing work similar to that of the F.B.I., he helped ferret out fifth columnists, spies, hidden radio sets, and tracked down interests that were adverse to the policies of the United States.

On his arrival in America, Hamill wasted little time in enlisting as aviation cadet. Since he was once the captain of the only all white Judo (Ju Jitsu) team in the country, he had little trouble in passing the physical examination.

As for the mental qualifications, Hamill had been elected to the student council in his senior year at San Jose State College, which was the highest position any student could hope to attain. He was duly appointed Cadet.

Robert Hamill was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Forces at Williams Field, and now his fingers itch just a little bit more; his legs are slightly springier, for the day is near when he will have an opportunity to gain revenge for an unplayed football game.