Walter Hamilton

Walter Andrew Hamilton (June 9, 1901 – March 28, 1946) was an American pioneer in the airline industry. Hamilton was a co-founder of Standard Air Lines and through a series of airline mergers became one of the "Three Musketeers" running Trans World Airlines.

Early life Hamilton was born to Wilbur and Martha (Stellmacher) Hamilton on June 9, 1901, in Los Angeles, California. He became a mechanic for the Duesenberg Motors Company.

Aviation career Hamilton learned to fly at Burdett Field in Los Angeles by instructor Burdett Fuller. Hamilton became good friends with two other pilots he met there, Jack Frye and Paul E. Richter. Hamilton, Frye, and Richter pooled their money together in 1925 and formed Aero Corporation of California (Aero Corp). Hamilton ran the aircraft maintenance division of Aero Corp, while Frye and Richter focused on the flying. In preparation for extending their business into Arizona, the trio earned their Arizona State Commercial Pilot Certificates on the same day with Frye getting certificate #1, Hamilton #2, and Richter #3.

On February 3, 1926, Standard Air Lines was formed as a subsidiary of Aero Corp, but didn't start flight operations until November 28, 1927.

In 1939, Hamilton left TWA for a position at the Douglas Aircraft Company. He later married Harriet Fairchild and became the step-father to Juanita and Warren.

Death Hamilton died of a kidney infection on March 28, 1946, at the Research Hospital in Kansas City. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.