John W. Hamilton

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John W. Hamilton, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Bellicourt, France, September 29, 1918. Assuming command of his company when two senior officers became casualties, First Lieutenant Hamilton led his men bravely under heavy fire, continuing in command after being wounded in the arm by a shell splinter. Later when knocked down by a large piece of shell which struck him in the leg, he again refused to leave his men and kept up the advance. He personally led a patrol of three squads into the town of Bellicourt held by the enemy, returning with prisoners and valuable information which aided in the further advance.