Rowan, A. Hamilton Jr.

Description

Archibald Hamilton Rowan was born on August 1, 1921, to Louise McLean Ayres, age 34, and Archibald Hamilton Rowan, age 42. He had two brothers Stephen and David. In Rye his family lived on Griswold Road and were members of Christ’s Church. Hamilton served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

Born in England, “Ham” came to the U.S. in 1939 with his parents. In 1941 he left Dartmouth College just after Pearl Harbor to enlist in the Naval Flight Training Program. Hamilton served as a pilot officer in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

He married Jean Elizabeth Tanch on October 14, 1943, in San Gabriel, California. They had five children during their marriage.

Hamilton Rowan Commissioned
2nd Lt.
A. Hamilton Rowan, Jr. , eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Hamilton Rowan, Griswold Road, having completed his training as an Aviator Pilot, has been commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve at Corpus Christi, Texas, and is now at San Diego, Calif. , awaiting further orders. Stephen Hamilton Rowan joined the American Field Service in February, and is now in the Near East working with the British Army.
Friday, September 17, 1943 THE RYE CHRONICLE PAGE NINE

Ham flew a 13 1/2 hour recon mission over Guam, gathering information crucial to the 1944 taking of the island from the Japanese.
The decorated Marine pilot was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Silver Star.

After the war he worked for Republic Aviation, and then the AKC for 24 years.

Archibald Hamilton Rowan died on April 12, 2010, in Huntington Bay, New York, at the age of 88, and was buried in Laurel Hollow, New York.

At the time of his death he was survived by two daughters Libby Hargrove and Kit Quigley and three sons Terry, Gavin and David, as well as eleven grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren. Also survived by his brother Stephen. His wife Jean died in 2000.
Information courtesy of Newsday.

A service was held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cold Spring Harbor and he was buried in Laurel Hollow, New York.

Published by Newsday from Apr. 13 to Apr. 14, 2010.