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Hamilton Gregory Obituary
Asheville - Hamilton Gregory of Asheville died on June 9, 2018 at Mission Memorial Hospital. He was 74 years old.
He is survived by daughter, Jessamyn Gregory of Edneyville; son, James Gregory of Youngsville, LA; daughter, June Gregory of Asheville; and grandchildren: Brooke, Gracie, Blake, Demi, Kristin, Makayla, Bailey, and Ty. He was predeceased by Merrell Gregory, his beloved wife of 44 years.
He was the author of a bestselling college textbook, Public Speaking for College & Career, which has been used by over two million students in the U.S. and Canada. A Chinese-language edition was sold in mainland China.
He also wrote an Amazon.com bestseller, McNamara's Folly: The Use of Low-IQ Troops in the Vietnam War, which was highly acclaimed by leading veterans for its exposé of Project 100,000, a program that sent mentally limited men into combat in Vietnam. Anthony Zinni, a four-star general in the U.S. Marine Corps, wrote, "Hamilton Gregory has written a superb account of the debacle that was Project 100,000. This book should be read by every one of our political leaders who need to understand the effects of stupid decisions made by those who do not understand the nature of war."
Gregory got to know dozens of "McNamara's Morons" (as they were cruelly called) while training at Fort Benning, GA, in 1967. He was outraged that such men were inducted and sent into combat, with a predictably high rate of death and disability. He vowed that he would someday tell their story - a vow that he fulfilled by writing his book and by appearing in a YouTube video entitled "McNamara's Folly."
Gregory served in Vietnam as a U.S. Army intelligence agent in 1968-69. Using a false name and posing as a civilian journalist, he worked on a team that recruited and trained Frenchmen and Southeast Asians for espionage missions in Cambodia. He narrowly escaped being killed in a terrorist attack, causing him to view each day afterward as a "bonus day" - a gift from God.
He was a life member of three organizations -- Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
He wrote articles about Vietnam that appeared in the New York Times, Military History magazine, MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History, Vietnam magazine, VVA Veteran, and Huffington Post. An essay was included in War and Moral Injury: A Reader, an anthology published by Cascade Books.
He taught English and public speaking at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College for 33 years. In 1988, he was named Instructor of the Year at A-B Tech.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to A-B Tech (Scholarship Fund), 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville 28801.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 6, 2018 at 2 pm at the Grace Episcopal Church on Merrimon Avenue.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Hamilton Gregory
Sponsored by Asheville Mortuary Services.
Frank Edwards
June 12, 2020
Two years have gone by since Hamilton's death and so much has changed in the world. I miss his friendship more than ever, but the memory of his wise, engaged and caring personality remains a calm companion.
Lloyd Lavagetto
June 11, 2020
Hamilton may have been the most principled and earnest person I've ever met. This month I made an on-line gift in his memory to the A-B Tech Foundation .
College Advancement
A-B Tech Community College
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
https://www.abtech.edu/college-advancement/donate-online-a-b-tech-foundation
I didn't see a way to say "In memory of Hamilton Gregory" on the actual on-line donation format, but on the the email receipt that A-B Tech sent me, I replied back specifying the gift was in his honor, and they acknowledged it.
December 9, 2019
I was drafted as medical officer into the Army serving from 1966-68. Some time was spent at Fort
Lee Virginia. This was the Quartermaster School. Very many of the low-skill MOS's were taught here. Many of these soldiers could not pass these courses and were assigned to Supply and Service Units where they did cleanup and odd jobs to fulfill their two year commitments. I was interested in their stories and concerned about their welfare in the military.
Several years after discharge I tried without success to find out the results of the program. One of the "benefits" of service was that they would get GI benefits such as education, home and business loans, medical, etc.
I saw the video today and immediately looked him
up only to find that we had lost a great humanitarian. I will surely read his book and any other publications by. I am sorry for your loss and can only regret not having met him.
Edward S. Bernreuter, MD, Former Capt. US Army MC
San Antonio,TX
Donna Fitzpatrick
November 20, 2019
Hamilton and I taught second grade together for two years--he taught composition to our 32 precious bundles of energy in St. Clements Episcopal School. What a pleasure it was having him working with me! I just learned of his death and all the nice accomplishments he managed to complete. Heaven is blessed having him as an angel.
June 21, 2019
Hamilton Gregory did a service to this nation in writing McNamara's Folly. The book stands as testimony to Mr. Gregory's courage, discipline, and decency.
Lloyd Lavagetto
June 18, 2019
Earlier this month I made a donation in Hamilton's memory to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech), and today I echo the sentiments of Mr. Frank Edwards below.
Frank Edwards
June 14, 2019
Thoughts of Hamilton continue to bubble up and I will always miss his friendship. Somehow he is still with us. Condolences again to his family and many friends.
William Weber
June 11, 2019
Unfortunately, I learned of Mr. Gregory's book and research on Project 100,000 shortly after he passed away last year when I viewed his video and attempted to contact him to give him additional information about one interesting member of that failed experiment of which I have 100% hands-on information which may be critical to any scholar interested in the subject. You see, I am that member! What makes me special is the fact that I am anything but mentally challenged! I served in the USAF in Vietnam from 12/70 - 12/71, attained the rank of SSGT E-5 in 30 months, entered service after graduating college with an AAS degree in Civil Technology, and I have my original military records, given to me when I mustered out of service, red flagged with a tag that reads "Project 100,000"! I would be more than happy to make contact with whoever has taken up the investigation into Project 100,000 where Mr. Gregory left off! I will always remember the clerk who did my last records check and the confused look on his face when he saw that tag! He simply couldn't believe that I was ever put into the program? Since that day, I have wondered why I was put there? The only thing I can come up with, after watching the youtube video that Mr. Gregory put out, is that perhaps I was supposed to be some kind of token offset to prove that people in Project 100,000 could increase their intelligence level, but since Project 100,000 ended in 1971, and I left service in 1972, it wasn't necessary? I can be contacted at my home in Rome, NY if anyone has an interest.
Nicholas Gold
June 9, 2019
I was involved as an instructor of basic English and mathematics in a special training company at Fort Lewis, Washington. Mr. Gregory's book on McNamara's "folly" was probably one of the most insightful volumes I have read on what was one of the most shameful episodes in our country's existence. I am proud to say, however, due to my utter cynicism, I had no trouble whatever in encouraging my "pupils" to continue flunking these basic subjects. Our battalion commander had a policy that if our students were unable to grasp the knowledge needed to pass them on to a regular basic training company, they would be discharged with the admonition that they would suffer mightily back in civilian life. I assured them that such was not the case, and they could depart with my blessing. McNamara, himself came out with an entourage to "inspect" the results of his brain child, and used a phrase I have used to color my political decisions: "This is being done for the greater good". Ever since that time, my political
and personal views have been burnished by that
statement. In other words, I do just the opposite of the "greater good", and I have never regretted it. May your loved one be remembered for the wisdom he imparted, and may his memory be eternal.
Henry Aldridge
April 24, 2019
I remember Hamilton fondly from McCallie in Chattanooga. We were good friends.
William Townsend
November 3, 2018
I just became acquainted with your recently passed loved one, Hamilton. My son sent me his Youtube video which I watched with great interest. The reason is that I was was Drill Sergeant at Ft. Benning in 1967 & 1968 with 1st hand experience of the folly of drafting low IQ soldiers. I did my personal best to make sure they did not see combat. I doubt that Hamilton was one of my recruits because there were so many, but I appreciate the fact that he took the time to tell this important story. Ironically, I was in Ashville around the time of his passing.
Lloyd Lavagetto
September 15, 2018
From an army friend with condolences to his family & friends and in recognition of his causes, sincere dedication, and kindness.
Stephen Terracina
June 25, 2018
It was so great to get to know Hamilton on my trips to Asheville and to his visits to family in Louisiana. He was so interesting and lived a very full life.
Having both served in the military at different times he had many interesting stories of the Vietnam war and exposed the horrible tragedy of how so many should have never been drafted or allowed to enlist in the Army. Very good read "McNamara's Folly" plus his public speaking books are amazing! What a talented man who lived a fulfilling life helping so many!
It is great to know he is reunited with his wife Merrill. God Bless you and may the wonderful memories of your life live in your children and their families!
Malcolm Miller-Jones
June 22, 2018
Hamilton was the kindest, caring, gracious and considerate man I ever knew. I will miss our Tuesday meetings, varied and lively discussions of science, architecture, politics and travels. I know he is happy to be reunited w Merrill, his beloved for more than 40 years. My greatest regret is not telling him all of this! So proud and honored to have contributed to his books.
Kat Bourgeois
June 18, 2018
Hamilton was a kind and gentle man with a big heart and the ability to inform and inspire with his writing. He will be missed by many.
Frank Edwards
June 18, 2018
Sincere condolences to Hamilton's family and his many friends.
Will McGuffin
June 17, 2018
My condolences to Hamilton's friends and family. We ran into each other a few weeks ago and had the usual pleasant chat. I was saddened and surprised to know that he's no longer with us. He was a remarkable, kind and unassuming person in every respect.
Will McGuffin, Asheville, NC
VM
June 17, 2018
My Deepest Sympathy.
Joh.11 : 25
1Cor.1 : 3
June 17, 2018
May faith sustain you and loving memories lift you up the prayer of many caring heart help heal your sorrow as you Mourn the passing of your love one. My deepest condolences to the family
Frank Edwards
June 16, 2018
I was afraid that something might have happened when Hamilton didn't respond to an email last week. I had been fortunate enough to become a personal friend of his in the late 80s when I lived in Asheville. We lost contact for many years then reconnected about a decade ago. One of the highlights of any trip to North Carolina was a walk or a meal with Hamilton. He was always a loyal returner of messages, a brilliant and gracious human being, a treasured friend and a source of wisdom. I will will miss him tremendously.
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