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Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 6
January 1897, South Weymouth, Mass. Appointed from: Connecticut. Citation:
For exceptionally meritorious service and extraordinary heroism while attached
to Squadron C, 1st Marine Aviation Force, in France. 2d Lt. Talbot participated
in numerous air raids into enemy territory. On 8 October 1918, while on
such a raid, he was attacked by 9 enemy scouts, and in the fight that followed
shot down an enemy plane. Also, on 14 October 1918, while on a raid over
Pittham, Belgium, 2d Lt. Talbot and another plane became detached from
the formation on account of motor trouble and were attacked by 12 enemy
scouts. During the severe fight that followed, his plane shot down 1 of
the enemy scouts. His observer was shot through the elbow and his gun jammed.
2d Lt. Talbot maneuvered to gain time for his observer to clear the jam
with one hand, and then returned to the fight. The observer fought until
shot twice, once in the stomach and once in the hip and then collapsed,
2d Lt. Talbot attacked the nearest enemy scout with his front guns and
shot him down. With his observer unconscious and his motor failing, he
dived to escape the balance of the enemy and crossed the German trenches
at an altitude of 50 feet, landing at the nearest hospital to leave his
observer, and then returning to his aerodrome.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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