Three Wars...Three Brain Tumors...I'm Still Smiling Lord: The Inspirational Life of the Man Who Founded the Generals Prayer Breakfast

By Archelaus L. Hamblen, Jr.

Brigadier General Arch Hamblen served in three wars, had three brain tumors, and was declared dead twice, yet he kept smiling. He credits his faith for his success and happiness. This inspirational man founded the Generals' Prayer Breakfast at the Pentagon which he ran for thirty years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483509525

Book preview

Farewell

GROWING UP

1919 - 1938

(look at everything as preparation for your life)

Growing up in a military family included many geographic moves and education at several military base locations as well as a private school, a prep school, a university, and a business college.

My mother and father had met early in life, in fourth grade while in public school in Maine. They attended high school together, went to the University of Maine together, then both taught at Bates College in Maine. My Dad subsequently joined the army and then they got married.

I was born Archelaus Lewis Hamblen, Jr. in San Diego, California on October 16, 1919. In 1920, the family was transferred to Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. My first memories of military life were of the parade field adjacent to our home on the post. I grew up with bugle calls, cannon firings, and military bands. As soon as I could walk, I would run into the band and march with them.

In 1924, we were transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia. In order to accommodate my mother, father, two sisters, and me, our new home was large, four stories. I lived on the third floor and my father shaved and readied himself for work on the fourth floor. One morning it was raining very hard and I heard Dad say to himself, Wow, that was close. I ran upstairs to where Dad was shaving and a tree had been blown through the roof. There must have been quite a wind because the part of the tree that came through the roof was the roots. He then said, Your mom sleeps very deeply and you need not wake her at this hour. Even at that young age, I was impressed with how calm Dad was.

In 1928, we moved to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where Dad became Professor of Military Science and Tactics. I began four years of piano lessons with Miss Mildred Gregg. Piano lessons cost twenty-five cents per session. Those years fostered a love of piano that has lasted a lifetime. I also won a yo-yo contest and joined the Boy Scouts.

In 1932, we moved to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas where Dad attended the Command and General Staff School. I attended the Catholic Immaculata High School where I learned to dance.

In 1934, we were stationed at Fort Thomas, Kentucky where my dad was battalion commander of the 1stBattalion, 10th Infantry. I attended Highlands High School for my last two years, graduating in 1936 at age 16 with honors.

In 1936, we moved to Washington, DC as Dad was assigned to design and supervise the construction of the road system for the Pentagon. As I was a bit young for college at age 16, I attended Strayer Business College and learned typing, shorthand, and tax preparation. A year later I attended Millard’s West Point Prep School near DuPont Circle. I wanted to get into West Point. I kept trying to win an appointment to West Point, but I only seemed to get Naval Academy appointments. Since I got seasick, the navy wasn’t for me!

In 1938 I entered Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. I studied engineering, joined Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, had a marvelous year, and attained a straight A average.

Many young men growing up in military families in the late 1930s aspired to becoming cadets at West Point. I was no exception. It was sometimes difficult to get an appointment to West Point through a congressman when your father was a military officer, moving from state to state. While in Evanston, I decided to join the Illinois National Guard and attained my goal by winning a National Guard appointment to West Point.

UNIED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY

1939 – 1943

(learn to combine mind, spirit, and body)

I entered the United States Military Academy (USMA) in July 1939. Certain things about West Point you had to learn. The motto Duty, Honor, Country was not taken lightly. I quickly became aware of the academic work expected. Everyone at West Point recites in every class every day. You have academics even on Saturday morning. If you didn’t do well in a class you could ask the cadet academic coaches for help. I made full use of them. We had physical training every day except Sunday. I did well enough.

Nobody asked if you were going to church, they told you that you were going. You can be Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish. There were no other opportunities. Nowadays there are no church attendance requirements. Later, as Vietnamese attended West Point, Buddhism and other religious services were offered. As an example of how well Vietnamese have done at USMA, just eight years after the first Vietnamese enrolled at USMA, a Vietnamese woman was selected as the top cadet.

FORT BENNING, GEORGIA

1943

(learned that war is a vicious undertaking)

I went through the U.S. Military Academy, graduating June 1943, then went right into active duty with the U.S. Army. The first assignment was a one month special infantry officers’ course at Fort Benning, Georgia. We learned the latest tactics and weapons so that we could have them at our command when we got into combat.

I went into the 63rd Division, known as ‘Blood and Fire’, which was activated June 15, 1943 as a new division and named for the realities of war. There would be blood and there would be fire power. Leaders were selected from all branches of service in the Army, and from posts throughout the country. The War Department made the selections.

The 63rd Division was to be lead by Major General Louis Hibbs. Typical of the zip and spark so much a part of the General was the new insignia which he personally created. Both gruesome and colorful, it portrays a bloody dagger on a background of fire. Hibbs later considered the emblem a flaming oath that the heroic dead of Corregidor, Wake, Bataan, and Manila, would be fully avenged, a vibrant reminder that these men died not in vain.

General Hibbs made a speech on the activation date of the 63rd division. His words, recorded in the first issue of the 63rd Division newspaper include, Your role is combat, nothing else… Let the blood and fire you wear on your shoulder keep you reminded always that war is a bloody and vicious game, no sportsmanship, no quarter. This emblem was designed to keep you reminded that you either kill your enemy or he kills you. Physically and mentally you must be strong and you must be viciously alert to be the one who kills, there is no second chance.

CAMP van DORN, MISSISSIPPI

1943 to 1944

(a mentor can be any rank)

I felt that my army career had finally begun when I arrived in early October 1943 at Camp van Dorn, MS, the new home of the 63rd Infantry Division. Initially I was assigned as a platoon leader in F Company 254th Infantry Division. After a month I was transferred to Cannon Company 254th for the next six months. I eventually became executive officer and acting commanding officer. When I was assigned as executive officer of C Company 254th it was a treat to serve under Lt. Colonel Robert E. Tucker, the battalion commander. I learned more every day. Finally, on June 19, 1944, I officially became company commander of M Company.