James F. Hamlet

James Frank Hamlet (December 13, 1921 – January 5, 2001) was the second African American United States Army Major General and division commander. Hamlet served as commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War and later commanded the 4th Infantry Division.

Early life and education Hamlet was born in Alliance, Ohio in 1921 and attended Tuskegee University until joining the Army. Hamlet later graduated from St. Benedict's College with a degree in business administration.

Military service Hamlet left Tuskegee to enlist in the United States Army in 1942 and was commissioned as a Second lieutenant of infantry through Officer Candidate School in 1944. He served as a platoon commander in the 366th Infantry Regiment and the 370th Infantry Regiment in the segregated 92nd Infantry Division during the Italian Campaign.

After the war, Hamlet qualified first as a liaison pilot and later graduated from Army Aviation school and qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1951. Hamlet graduated from the United States Army War College in 1970. Hamlet was reassigned again in December 1971 to command the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division until his return to the United States in August 1972.

After his second tour ended, Hamlet was named the assistant chief of staff for force development at the Pentagon. He was nominated for promotion to major general in August 1972 and confirmed by the Senate on June 1, 1973, making him the second African American to achieve two-star rank after Frederic E. Davison. Hamlet assumed command of the Fourth Infantry Division and Fort Carson in 1972, becoming the first African American to command a division stationed in the United States. After two years at Fort Carson, Hamlet was named Deputy Inspector General of the United States Army and held that position until retiring in 1981.

Hamlet died on January 5, 2001, in Trenton, New Jersey.