West A. Hamilton

West A. Hamilton (1886 - 1985) was a teacher, military officer, publisher, and civic leader in the United States.

He was the son of John A. Hamilton and Julia West Hamilton, a prominent community leader.[1][2] He graduated from Dunbar High School in Washington D.C. and Miner Teachers College.[3] In 1905 he enlisted in the National Guard. He served with the 10th Cavalry Regiment of Buffalo Soldiers.[3] He and his brother Percival Y. Hamilton established Hamilton Printing Company in 1910 and published the Sentinel newspaper.[3] They advertised in The Crisis.[4] He served on the District of Columbia School Board.[5]

He commanded the 366th Infantry. On March 15, 1941 the Pittsburgh Courier reported that a “Lack of Officers Nearly Cost Race 366th Command.” The article stated "Lack of enough Negro Lieutenant Colonels to serve under him almost cost Col. West A. Hamilton command of the 366th Infantry, the Associated Negro Press learned this week. But pressure exerted on the War Department caused army officials to go through with their original plans of having an all-Negro Army staff." "Colored" men were not allowed to command whites.[6]

He spoke before a congressional committee in favor of a museum and gathering place in Washington D.C. to honor the contributions of African Americans in the United States.[7] He wrote the W. E. B. DuBois about Ferdinand D. Lee's efforts for the National Memorial Association to establish a museim honoring African Americans and their contributions including as soldiers for the United States.[8]

Anacostia Community Museum has a collection of his papers.[3]

References
  1. Carney Smith, Jessie, ed. (1995) [1994]. Notable Black American Women. Vol. 2. Gale / Cengage Learning. p. 273. ISBN 978-0810391772.
  2. "Col. West A. Hamilton papers". Smithsonian Music.
  3. "Col. West A. Hamilton papers". anacostia.si.edu.
  4. Bois, William Edward Burghardt Du (January 22, 1924). "Crisis". Crisis Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  5. Notable Black American Women. VNR AG. 1992. ISBN 9780810391772.
  6. "366 lack of officers". The Pittsburgh Courier. March 15, 1941. p. 5 – via newspapers.com.
  7. Hearings. 1928.
  8. "Letter from West A. Hamilton to W. E. B. Du Bois, May 6, 1928". credo.library.umass.edu.


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