1st Lt. Lloyd Andrews Hamilton, RAF / USAS



Victories: 5.11 (10)

Units: 3 Sq. (RAF) 17th Aero (USAS)
Born: 13 June 1894 Troy, New York
Killed In Action 24 August 1918 Near Lagnicourt
Buried: Bomy, France

Notes

The son of a methodist minister, Hamilton attended Harvard before enlisting. He was fatally wounded by ground fire after shooting down a balloon.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

"On 13 August 1918, Lt. Hamilton led his flight on a special mission against Varssenaere aerodrome. He dropped four bombs from 200 feet on some aeroplane hangars, making two direct hits and causing a large amount of damage. He then machine gunned the German officers' billets and made four circuits of the aerodrome, shooting up various targets. On the first circuit, he destroyed one EA on the ground which burst into flames when he shot it up. On the third circuit he repeated this performance, setting afire another Fokker biplane. His dash and skill very materially helped in the success of the operation. In addition this officer destroyed a Fokker biplane over Armentieres on 7 August 1918. On 12 July he brought down two EA in flames and on two other occasions has driven down out of control enemy machines. He is an excellent patrol leader." DFC citation

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

"For extraordinary heroism in action at Varssenaere, Belgium, 13 August 1918. Leading a low bombing attack on a German aerodrome 30 miles behind the lines, Lt. Hamilton destroyed the hangars on the north side of the aerodrome and then attacked a row of enemy machines, flying as low as 20 feet from the ground, despite intense machine gun fire, and setting fire to three of the German planes. He then turned and fired bursts through the windows of the chateau in which the German pilots were quartered, 26 of whom were afterwards reported killed." DSC citation

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American Aces of WWI