Gilbert Lee Hamilton
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

On 17 January 1968, Sergeant First Class Gilbert Lee Hamilton was serving with Reconnaissance Team North Carolina, Command & Control North, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Special Operations Group, 5th Special Forces Group, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SFC Hamilton was a Special Forces advisor to a Vietnamese unit conducting a reconnaissance mission in enemy territory. The patrol had taken a defensive position on high ground while waiting for helicopter extraction from the area of operations. SFC Hamilton volunteered to lead a 7-man security team outside the unit's perimeter to search for signs of possible enemy activity around its position. While moving through heavy elephant grass, the patrol was ambushed at close range by insurgents firing automatic weapons. SFC Hamilton was severely wounded by a burst of enemy bullets, but returned fire killing at least 1 enemy soldier. He then organized his trapped troops into a tight perimeter and directed their counterfire against the surrounding hostile elements. Although he was struck 3 more times by enemy bullets, he continued to direct the defense of his men. He made radio contact with helicopter gunships in the area and adjusted their supporting fires on the enemy positions to prevent the attackers from overrunning the small team. His actions in the heat of battle were responsible for saving his comrades from annihilation. SFC Hamilton's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards, Badges & Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Knots
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Gilbert Lee Hamilton (ASN: RA-26244416), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Command and Control Detachment (North), FOB 1 (Phu Bai), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Hamilton distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 January 1968 as Special Forces advisor to a Vietnamese unit conducting a reconnaissance mission in enemy territory. The patrol had taken a defensive position on high ground while waiting for helicopter extraction from the area of operations. Sergeant Hamilton volunteered to lead a seven-man security team outside the unit's perimeter to search for signs of possible enemy activity around its position. While moving through heavy elephant grass, the patrol was savagely ambushed at close range by insurgents firing automatic weapons. Sergeant Hamilton was severely wounded by a burst of enemy bullets, but returned fierce fire killing at least one enemy soldier. He then quickly organized his trapped troops into a tight perimeter and directed their counterfire against the surrounding hostile elements. Although he was struck three more times by enemy bullets, he continued to direct the defense of his men. He made radio contact with helicopter gunships in the area and skillfully adjusted their supporting fires on the enemy positions to prevent the attackers from overrunning the small team. His gallant and determined actions in the heat of battle were responsible for saving his comrades from annihilation. Sergeant First Class Hamilton's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1468 (April 1, 1968)

Honors

The name Gilbert L Hamilton is located on Panel 36E Line 73 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Sergeant First Class Gilbert Lee Hamilton is buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Denver County, CO, in Section P, Site 1937.