GILBERT HUNTER - Veterans Legacy Project

Their Story

Gilbert Hunter

Gilbert Nelson Hunter was born on January 25, 1899, in Kansas.^[1] He was the son of Jonathon Gilmore Hunter and Amelia L. Spittler Hunter. He had a sister, Bernadetta.^[2] At the age of 11, Gilbert was singing in the Episcopal Church choir when his father, a 50-year old traveling salesman, was hit by an electric car while riding his bicycle in front of the church. When Gilbert heard about the accident, he ran to his father and reached him just before he died. It was April 9, 1911, in Salina, Kansas.^[3] In 1915, Amelia, Gilbert and Bernadetta were still living in Salina, Kansas, but were making plans to move to Denver.^[4] Amelia wanted to live near her sisters.^[5] In 1920, Gilbert and Bernadetta were living in Denver, Colorado, with their mother.

Hunter married Azeal Cooper, Dec. 21, 1928, in Denver, Colorado.^[6] In 1930, he was a credit man at General Motors. He and Azeal had a newborn son, Gilbert N. Jr.^[7] Five years later, they had another son, Gordon J.^[8] In 1940, the family was living in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Hunter was a salesman.^[9]

Hunter registered for the WWI draft in September 1918, while he was a student.^[10] He enlisted into the Marine Corps in Denver, Colorado on November 6, 1918, and was assigned to Co. C, Recruit Depot, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.^[11] Hunter served overseas during World War I,

Hunter registered for the WWII draft in February 1942 in Denver. He was working for the Colorado Fish and Game Commission.^[12] In 1950, Hunter was a manager at the Colorado Fish & Game Commission and Azael was a secretary for the highway department.^[13]

Second Lieutenant Hunter served in the U.S. Army from May 5, 1943, and was honorably discharged on September 13, 1944.^[14]

Gilbert Hunter died on May 17, 1952, in Chicago.^[15]