Colonel Hamlin, born March 27, 1943 in East Bloomfield, NY, graduated from The Choate School in 1961. In 1965 he earned his BA from Yale University.

Colonel Hamlin began his military career in 1967 at the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Va. He was commissioned in June 1967, completed Marine Basic School and immediately went to Vietnam as an infantry platoon commander near Khe Sarin and the DMZ until late 1968.

Colonel Hamlin found his interest in aviation by serving his country. He served as a Marine Reserve Advisor in Orlando, Fla. until he was selected to attend flight school. He entered Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB, Arizona in November 1969 getting his wings in December 1970. Stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point he flew the F-4 with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Following a second tour in the Far East in 1972 with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, he returned to Cherry Point as an instructor Pilot in the A-4 Skyhawk. He left the active military in June, 1975.

Colonel Hamlin entered the New York Air National Guard's 174th Tactical Fighter Group 1976 and held numerous flying and staff positions including flight commander, 138th Tactical Fighter Squadron Commander and 174th FW Director of Operations. Upon activation for Desert Shield in 1990, he was placed in command of the aviation package that deployed to Saudi Arabia. He flew 52 combat missions in support of Desert Storm. He was named 174* Fighter Wing Commander in 1992 and retired in 1995. He flew the A-37, A-10, F/A-16A, and F-16C.

His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 19 oak leaf clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with combat V, the Marine Combat Action Ribbon, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device and 4 oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters. National Defense Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 5 oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. His state awards include the New York State Long and Faithful Service Award, Operation Desert Storm Medal, and the Conspicuous Service Cross.

Colonel Hamlin married Jane L. Raleigh (Bonnie) in 1967. His son David, wife Karen and granddaughters, Sophie and Violet, live in White Plains, NY. His daughter Megan, husband David, and granddaughters Julia and Jacqueline, live in Burke, Va. Until his death on June 10, 2004, he resided on his family farm in Bloomfield, New York.