Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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World War II - U.S. Army Air Corps

Pierpont Morgan Hamilton

Details
  • Rank: Major (Highest Rank: Major General)
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Western Task Force
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: November 8, 1942
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Port Lyautey, French Morocco
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 machine-gun fire from three 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 machine-gun fire was delivered upon the truck from point-blank range, killing Col. Craw instantly. Although captured immediately after this incident, Lt. Col. Hamilton completed the mission.
Medal of Honor Recipient Pierpont M. Hamilton
Medal of Honor Recipient Pierpont M. Hamilton
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: New York, New York
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Born: August 3, 1898, Tuxedo Park, Orange County, NY, United States
  • Died: March 4, 1982, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • Buried: Santa Barbara Cemetery (North Wall-59), Santa Barbara, CA, United States
 

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