- SURNAME
Hamilton
- FORENAME
Gilbert Lee
- UNIT
5 SF Group (MACV- SOG - CCN) (FOB-1) (RT North Carolina)
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
26244416
- DATE OF DEATH
2nd February 1968
- AGE
31
- GRAVESITE
Fort Logan National Cemetery,Denver,Denver County,Colorado Section P Site 1937
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Denver,Colorado
born 26.12.1936 Colorado
married
12 years service
"Company C,1 SF Group" on headstone
award D.S.C. (posthumous)
WIA 17.1.1968 Laos
DOW Quang Nam Province,South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 36E Line 73
DATE OF DEATH:
02-Feb-1968AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/hamilton-gilbert-lee.41671/CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross : 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.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/5229
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