Edward Smith Hamilton

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, has awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Edward S. Hamilton, USA for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy: Colonel Hamilton, then Major, 357th Infantry, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism near Avril, France on 8 September 1944. During a fierce attack by German infantry, tanks and artillery while his battalion was organizing its position on an exposed hill, Colonel Hamilton, in utter disregard of his own safety, supervised in person the deployment of anti-tank guns to open positions atop the hill where he personally directed the fire of one piece. By his valorous example and vigorous action he inspired his battalion to retrieve a deteriorating position and press forward in its mission toward the Moselle River.