FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sancy Franklin (Kennedy) visits the memorial gravesite of Hamilton T. Bone “Hambone” a white mule that served the country, including two combat missions overseas during World War II, and military service in Oklahoma, Fort Riley, Kansas; and Camp Carson (Fort Carson). Franklin’s late father, William Everett Kennedy II, was Hambone’s trainer in the 1950s. Hambone, with his white silver coat, was the pride of 611th Field Artillery. For 13 years, he carried first sergeants up the Ute Pass to Camp Hale near Leadville. In 1946, while at Fort Riley, Hambone won a jumping contest against horses, but was disqualified because he was a mule. Hambone and other mules were used to move military supplies, ammunition, equipment and guns. The U.S. Army marched or rode on horseback and horses and mules pulled wagons and artillery. Four decades later, at the beginning of World War II, most of the horses and mules were replaced with tractors, trucks and later, helicopters. Hambone was known for being somewhat cantankerous and also known for being a good jumper, beating out horses at local, state and national jumping competition events. He died March 29, 1971, at the age of 39 and was buried with honors during a military ceremony in front of the Division Artillery Headquarters at Fort Carson. (Photo by Billie Garner)
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