James Alexander Hamill Jr. was born on September 7, 1919 to Mary Mylott and James A. Hamill, United States representative from Jersey City, N.J. He attended Saint Peter’s College from September 1937-September 1939.  He later joined the United States Marine Corps and rose to the rank of lieutenant. His unit was Battery M, 4th Battalion, 12 Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. Stationed at Camp Pendleton, California on July 12, 1943, he and another Marine were killed when their car crashed into a stalled truck south of San Clemente, California. The official casualty report shows “Non-Battle – Auto Accident." He received the American Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

On July 31, 2011, Alana Sweeny, the wife of Hamill’s nephew, wrote the following remembrance in his honor:

“James A. Hamill was my husband’s uncle. He was in the Marines in WWII and was stationed in California, presumably before being sent overseas. He was killed in a motor vehicle accident, without having left the U.S. He was single. We have the buttons from his uniform and a photo of him in uniform, which I can find and scan, if that would help you.

The family lived on Montgomery Street in Jersey City. James’ grandfather, who got Woodrow Wilson into politics, was unable to teach when he came from Ireland (either because he was a Catholic or Irish – not sure). He started Hamill Iron Works. Some of the manhole covers in Jersey City still bear that name.

James Alexander Hamill Jr. was an only son and had five older sisters. His father, James A. Hamill, represented Jersey City in Congress and was a delegate to the Versailles Peace Conference, ending WWI. His mother was the first civilian woman to cross the Atlantic after WWI. Representative Hamill left Congress to run against Frank Hague for mayor of Jersey City as he was concerned about corruption in Jersey City government. Needless to say, he got his clock cleaned!

Of Interest, young James’ cousin was Father Frank Hamill, S.J. who was at Saint Peter’s Prep for many years.”