Thomas Hamilton Chambert

Mr. Thomas Hamilton Chambers, 95, of Hamburg, died Monday, May 28, 2012 at the Ashley County Medical Center in Crossett. Mr. Chambers was a native of Briggsville, Arkansas and a resident of Hamburg for the past 63 years. He was a graduate of Havana High School; Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served during World War II as a Combat Infantry Platoon Leader and forward observer in the 13th Infantry, 8th Army Division landing on Omaha Beech. He was in four campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars and Combat Infantry Badge. When he received his Purple Heart, he was a 2nd Lieutenant Forward Observer Platoon Leader in August 1944. He and his radio operator were on Hill 88 outside of Brest, France when a German artillery or mortar shell exploded nearby striking him in the neck and shoulder with shrapnel and phosphorous. He was treated at a field hospital and was back on the hill the next day. In September of 1944, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "heroic conduct on the field of battle." He received a battle field promotion to 1st Lieutenant in October of 1944. According to his regimental commander, "his performance of duty as a Forward Observer and as Cannon Platoon leader placed accurate fire on enemy emplacements, without endangering our troops, thus giving the supporting fires necessary for our troops to advance." He continued to serve with distinction throughout the Western Europe conflict until the war's end. He was employed by the Department of Agriculture as a Supervisor for Farmers Home Administration in Conway and Lake Village for 10 years and Hamburg for 30 years. He was a Ruling Elder and Sunday School Teacher at the Hamburg Presbyterian Church. When the Hamburg Presbyterian Church closed he took his letter to the Presbyterian Church in Crossett where he was an active Elder until his death. He was a member of the Prairie Country Club and an avid golfer. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas H. & Verna Estelle Walkup Chambers. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret Hickman Chambers of Hamburg. Funeral services are 10 a.m., Thursday in the Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bonnie Wilkins and Dr. Bobby Pennington officiating. Burial will be in the Hamburg Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Hamburg Garden Club, c/o Mrs. Sandra Knight, 109 Honeysuckle Lane, Hamburg, Ark. 71646 or to the Crossett Presbyterian Church, 309 Pine Street, Crossett, Ark. 71635. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home of Hamburg. Online guest book at www.jones-hartshorn.com.