Edward Hamilton (officer)
Encyclopedia
Edward Smith Hamilton was an American army officer during World War II
, and later a Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) operative in China
, East Germany and Turkey
.
Hamilton graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1939. He went ashore at Normandy
two days after D-Day
in command of a battalion in the 90th Infantry Division. After defending a key bridge, he was awarded the Silver Star
on August 5, 1944. On September 8, 1944, he and his troops disabled 4 German tanks and captured 17 soldiers; for his heroism, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
. He lost his left eye two days later in a battle. He was awarded three Purple Heart
s and a Bronze Star
.
In 1950, he began working for the CIA, leading attacks from Taiwan
against the mainland of China. The book Raiders of the China Coast by Frank Holober describes these adventures. He later performed undercover counterintelligence work in East Germany and Turkey, up to 1959.
France awarded him the Legion of Honor in 2005. Hamilton died in Annandale, of pneumonia.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and later a Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
(CIA) operative in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, East Germany and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Hamilton graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1939. He went ashore at Normandy
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
two days after D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
in command of a battalion in the 90th Infantry Division. After defending a key bridge, he was awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
on August 5, 1944. On September 8, 1944, he and his troops disabled 4 German tanks and captured 17 soldiers; for his heroism, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
. He lost his left eye two days later in a battle. He was awarded three Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s and a Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
.
In 1950, he began working for the CIA, leading attacks from Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
against the mainland of China. The book Raiders of the China Coast by Frank Holober describes these adventures. He later performed undercover counterintelligence work in East Germany and Turkey, up to 1959.
France awarded him the Legion of Honor in 2005. Hamilton died in Annandale, of pneumonia.