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Pierpoint Morgan Hamilton |
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Engagements: • World War II (1941 - 1945) |
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Biography: | ||||
Pierpoint Morgan Hamilton Major General Pierpont Morgan Hamilton (3 August 1898 - 4 March 1982) was a U.S. Army Air Forces / U.S. Air Force officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during World War II. Pierpont Morgan Hamilton was born on 3 August 1898 in Tuxedo Park, NY, to William Pierson Hamilton (great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton) and Juliet Pierpont Morgan (daughter of John Pierpont Morgan). He attended Harvard University where he attained a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree. In August 1917, as the U.S. joined World War I, he entered military service, receiving flight training first at the Aviation Ordnance School at Cornell University and then at flying schools at Hazelhurst Field, NY, and Ellington Field, TX. On 8 May 1918 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Officer's Reserve Corps and served as an instructor pilot at Ellington Field for the remainder of the war. In World War II, Hamilton returned to active duty, joining the Army from New York City. On 8 November 1942, he was a major participating in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa. He volunteered to act as an interpreter on a mission to meet with the French commander near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, and broker a cease fire. After landing on the beach under hostile fire, Hamilton and Colonel Demas T. Craw approached the French headquarters in a light truck. They came under machine gun fire, leaving Craw dead and Hamilton captured. Although imprisoned, Hamilton succeeded in persuading the French to surrender. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Later, Craw was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his part in the mission. Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942. 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. Hamilton reached the rank of Major General before leaving the military. Personal Life Hamilton married Marie Louise Blair, daughter of C. Ledyard Blair, on 11 September 1919. The wedding was held near Bernardsville, NJ, with a lavish reception at Blairsden Mansion. They had three children: Philip, David and Ian, before divorcing. He married Rebecca Stickney on 3 January 1930. The second marriage also ended in divorce, with no children. His third and final marriage was on 21 August 1946 to Norah Soutter. Hamilton adopted her son, Harold, from a previous marriage. Death and Burial Major General Pierpont Morgan Hamilton died on 4 March 1982 at age 83. He is buried at Santa Barbara Cemetery in Santa Barbara, CA. |
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Honoree ID: 1424 | Created by: MHOH |