HAMILTON, PIERPONT M. - Medal of Honor Recipient
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. Birth: 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 .
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