Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) John Adams Hambleton, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Commanding Officer, 213th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Gironville, France, 6 June 1918. After becoming separated from his patrol, on account of misty weather, Lieutenant Hambleton was flying in the region of Gironville when he encountered two enemy biplane machines. He engaged them in a sharp combat despite the fact that he was being subjected to the concentrated fire of both biplanes. He pulled away and was maneuvering for a better position when the biplanes started into Germany and he promptly chased them across the lines, thereby preventing them from performing a photographic mission. On the same date in the region of Grissolles, while leading a patrol, Lieutenant Hambleton encountered a formation of five enemy pursuit airplanes. He gallantly led the attack, and after a short and decisive fight with one enemy airplane, during which time he was subjected to the concentrated fire of the other enemy airplanes, he drove it to the ground, where it crashed. Still undaunted, he returned and, without hesitation or fear, repeatedly attacked the remainder of the enemy formation until he had forced it to retire in disorder. The rare courage and superb devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Hambleton greatly inspired the members of his squadron.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    95th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 2 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Air Service) John A. Hambleton, United States Army Air Service, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Hambleton distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with 95th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 6 June 1918, near Gironville, France, in preventing two enemy planes from accompanying a photographic mission.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    95th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 28, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 2 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Air Service) John A. Hambleton, United States Army Air Service, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Hambleton distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with 95th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 28 May 1918, in the vicinity of St. Mihiel, France.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    95th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 28, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 15 (1923)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) John Adams Hambleton, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 95th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., at Liron, France, 28 May 1918. Lieutenant Hambleton, accompanied by Lieutenant Taylor, while answering an alert to Lironville, France, encountered five enemy airplanes in the vicinity of St. Mihiel. As the American airplanes approached the enemy turned away. Lieutenant Hambleton and Lieutenant Taylor followed, and at Pont-a-Mousson again over took the enemy, one airplane flying at 1,500 meters, two at 2,000 meters, and the remaining two at 2,500 meters. Lieutenant Hambleton attacked the lowest airplane, firing 20 rounds and driving it from the formation. An enemy bullet shot the cross section of wires from his airplane, the splinters from the bullet cutting his cheek and right shoulder. Notwithstanding his wounds and the disabled condition of his airplane, he continued to fight until the enemy was driven to its own lines.