A Note from The Virtual Wall Sergeant First Class Gilbert Hamilton was serving with Recon Team NORTH CAROLINA when he was fatally wounded on 17 Jan 1968. The Citation for his Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second highest award for valor, describes the circumstances of his death: HQ US ARMY, VIETNAM, APO San Francisco 96375 1 April 1968 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 1468 AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. Gilbert Lee HAMILTON, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army Command and Control Detachment (North), FOB 1 (Phu Bai), 5th Special Forces Group Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross Date action: 17 Jan 1968 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gilbert Lee Hamilton, Sergeant First Class, U.S. 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.

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