WASHINGTON - Dentist. Doctor. Airman. National Guard general
officer. And, now, one of the nation's Black Engineers of the Year.
Dr. David Hamlar - Minnesota National Guard Air Force Brig. Gen. David
Hamlar - on Friday was recognized here for a trailblazing life of extraordinary
accomplishment.
"He is a Citizen-Airman of many talents, many achievements - an absolute
role model for all of us," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph Lengyel, vice chief
of the National Guard Bureau, presenting the award.
"This doctor has faithfully supported us in Desert Shield, Desert Storm,
Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and numerous military and
humanitarian efforts around the world," Lengyel said.
"He has deployed all over the world on numerous occasions,
selflessly serving the nation," Air Force Col. Jim Johnson, 133rd Airlift Wing
Commander, said after Hamlar became the Minnesota National Guard's first
African American general officer last August. "When he is not saving lives, he
is searching for other opportunities to improve somebody's health. [He] is an
extremely talented and well-respected surgeon in both the military and civilian
communities."
Hamlar has commanded a squadron and a group and served as chief flight
surgeon and Minnesota's state air surgeon.
"One thing that is unique in the Reserves and National Guard is we have
two lives, we have two careers," Lengyel said. Civilian Dr. Hamlar is co-director
of the University of Minnesota's Craniofacial Skull Base Center, while Brig.
Gen. Hamlar simultaneously serves as the assistant adjutant general of the
state's Air National Guard.
"He has responsibility not just for doctor duties, but responsibility
to oversee an airlift wing and a fighter wing, more than 2,000 Airmen," Lengyel
said. "I don't know how he does it."
Hamlar "is not only an extraordinary leader in the Minnesota National
Guard, he is an accomplished surgeon specializing in the reconstruction of
skull deformities and brain tumors," Army Maj. Gen. Richard Nash.
Minnesota's adjutant general, said at Hamlar's August promotion. "Hamlar's
talent and both military and civilian skills makes him an incredible asset to
not only our organization, but to the community as a whole."
Hamlar also serves as a consultant for Minnesota Gopher Sports teams,
the Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves, and has been a team physician with the
Minnesota Wild NHL ice hockey team since 2003.
The 29th annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards were presented at the
10th Annual Stars and Stripes Dinner here, attended by about 1,200, one of
the nation's largest events honoring African American admirals, generals and
senior executive service members. Attendees included 80 African American
students who had the opportunity to learn about the contributions of previous
generations. Hamlar accepted his award accompanied by his wife, June. He was
the National Guard awardee in a ceremony that recognized members of each of the
military components and the Defense Department's senior executive service.
Documented original Tuskegee Airmen Dr. Ivan Ware, Major Anderson and
William Fauntroy were among those attending the event, which was held during
National African American History Month. The Tuskegee Airmen were the nation's
first African American fighter and bomber pilots, during World War II, when the
military and much of the nation remained racially segregated.
Friday evening's award ceremony was preceded by an afternoon of
mentoring for more than 400 African American science, technology, engineering
and mathematics high school and college students by senior leaders, including
National Guard general officers. STEM expertise is a continuing critical
national security need, defense leaders say.
"If the reality of all of this is that if I am a first, then there
should be a second and a third," Hamlar said after his August promotion.
"Just keep the ball rolling, just don't stop at one."
The awards dinner is traditionally hosted by different components of
the Armed Forces each year. This year, the Air Force hosted. The National Guard
will host for the first time in 2017, Army Gen. Frank Grass, chief of the
National Guard Bureau, announced Friday.
General Hamlar graduated from
Tufts University with a bachelor of science in Biology. He then attended Howard
University College of Dentistry as a National Health Service Corps scholarship
recipient, gaining a commission at the equivalent Navy rank of lieutenant.
While practicing dentistry in Columbus, he entered medical school at the Ohio
State University in 1985. After completing his studies in three years, he spent
his fourth year as a basic research scientist. This led to one year of post graduate
training in general surgery and four years in otolaryngology. Finally, a
fellowship in Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery led him to Minnesota
in 1994, where he attended the University of Minnesota. After six years at the
Ohio National Guard, he joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1995.
- The Department of Defense and the 133rd Airlift Wing contributed to this report.