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Hamilton Vernon Paiva

  • Class
    1941
  • Honors
    Boxing (1940), Football ()
The smallest man on the squad is "Ham" Paiva, who makes his bid for recognition in the lightweight class. A speedy, clever lad, Ham is out to live up to brother George's record. A tough job but Hamilton has the makin's.

Most dramatic moment of the day came during the tug of war. With an even number of stalwarts on each side, the teams readied for action. The hose was set to water the team pulled across the center line. The whistle blew, the men strained—and—(the rope broke). In the ensuing confusion, while both teams scampered for goal lines with misguided enthusiasm, Froshmen Ham Paiva and Jim McGowan grabbed the hose and playfully sprinkled their rivals. And thus another playful rumpus began. But the rope was fixed, action renewed, and with a mighty heave-ho the straining sophs pulled the furious freshmen across the water line, and each in turn was thoroughly and fully doused (TheFoghorn).

Hamilton Paiva was born on February 26, 1920, in San Francisco, to parents Frank Paiva and Elena McGrath. He was the youngest son in his large family of nine children. Hamilton or "Ham" as he was more commonly known, graduated from Galileo High School in 1939 where he played football, and then attended USF. He graduated in 1941 in Liberal Arts and then went to work for the United States Post Office in 1941. During this time Hamilton also became active in amateur boxing. His brother George also attended USF, and they were both on the boxing team.

In 1943 Hamilton enlisted in the Army and began his training as a Medical Technician. Between 1944 and 1945 he served in Attu in the Aleutian Islands and then in Germany. Hamilton received his Honorable Discharge from the United States Army in October of 1945, and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal for his service. Following his military service, Hamilton returned to his job at the U.S. Post Office and worked until his retirement (Legacy).


 

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