Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
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.
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