Camp Hamilton Veterans Memorial Park

Camp Hamilton is named after Leonard Hamilton. Leonard was an "Old China" Marine before World War II. He landed in Shanghai, China in 1936 with the 4th Marine Regiment until war broke out and then fought with the 1st Marine Division. When the war was over, Leonard got discharged. As he was getting processed at Treasure Island in San Francisco, he met a Navy Yeoman named Betsy who eventually agreed to marry him. Leonard Hamilton became a county sheriff above San Francisco. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve to make some extra money and convinced his brother Rodney to join since "the war is over. Nothing is going to happen." 6 months later, the brothers were activated for Korea and served with the 1st Marine Division. The Hamilton family lived in Bakersfield and would come out to the camp.