Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps.
Place and date: Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942.
Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Born: 3 August 1898, Tuxedo Park,
N.Y. G.O. No.: 4, 23 January 1943.
Citation... For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 November
1942, near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, Lt. Col. Hamilton volunteered
to accompany Col. Demas Craw on a dangerous mission to the French
commander, designed to bring about a cessation of hostilities.
Driven away from the mouth of the Sebou River by
heavy shelling from all sides, the landing boat was finally beached at
Mehdia Plage despite continuous machinegun fire from 3 low-flying
hostile planes. |
|
Driven in a light truck toward French
headquarters, this courageous mission encountered intermittent
firing, and as it neared Port Lyautey a heavy burst of machinegun
fire was delivered upon the truck from pointblank range, killing
Col. Craw instantly. Although captured immediately, after this
incident, Lt. Col. Hamilton completed the mission. |