Colonel Nonila Nari Vilches Hamlin , October 22, 1938 — February 10, 2019

Dr. Nonila “Nari” Vilches Hamlin (Col. Ret. ), 80, passed away on February 10, 2019, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born October 22, 1938, in Suclaran City, Guimaras Province, Philippines, to Francisco and Narcisa Vilches, the third of eight children. She completed her medical studies and obtained her Doctor of Medicine from Manila Central University in 1963. She became a resident of obstetrics and gynecology in the Philippine President’s renowned Malacañang Palace Clinic.

Dr. Hamlin emigrated to the United States in 1967, and practiced at Suburban Community Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. She entered the Women’s Army Corps in September 1970 as a private at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, but only four months later made headlines when she was promoted 14 grades in one day, to the rank of Major, due to her medical degree and completion of her residency. Dr. Hamlin made headlines again when she was stationed at Fort Bragg’s Womack Army Medical Center, where she became the first female Army Medical Corps physician.

In recognition of her achievements, she was selected to the list of Who’s Who in North Carolina in 1973. Dr. Hamlin proudly served in the U.S. Army for nearly 24 years, including overseas tours in South Korea and Germany. Dr. Hamlin loved gardening, crocheting, traveling, and collecting treasures from places she visited.

Above all, she loved spending time with her family and doting on her two granddaughters, whom she always referred to as her pride and joy. She is survived by her daughter, Naomi Madrid and husband, Johnny Madrid of Cooper City, Fla. ; her granddaughters, Isabel Victoria Madrid and Sofía Lourdes Madrid; four siblings, Napoleon Vilches of Jacksonville, Fla.

; Nelia Vilches Gomez of Fayetteville; Nora Vilches Jones of Kansas City, Mo. ; Nestor O. Vilches of Jacksonville; ten nephews and nieces; and her extended family. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am to 10:15 am Tuesday, February 19, 2019 in Fort Bragg Main Post Chapel with the funeral mass including full military honors immediately following at 10:30 am.

Interment will take place at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery at 12:00 pm.

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