Hospitalman Francis Colton Hammond was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on March 26, 1953 near Sanae-dong, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (Attached), 1st Marine Division. Hammond was 21 years old.
The medal was presented on December 29, 1953 — the Pentagon, Presented by Sec. of the Navy Robert B. Anderson to his infant Son.
Hammond was born on November 9, 1931 in Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia. Hammond died on March 27, 1953 in Korea, at the age of 21. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Alexandria, VA.
Hammond is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 48 credited to Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as an HC serving with the 1st Marine Division in action against enemy aggressor forces on the night of 26-27 March 1953. After reaching an intermediate objective during a counterattack against a heavily entrenched and numerically superior hostile force occupying ground on a bitterly contested outpost far in advance of the main line of resistance, HC Hammond's platoon was subjected to a murderous barrage of hostile mortar and artillery fire, followed by a vicious assault by onrushing enemy troops. Resolutely advancing through the veritable curtain of fire to aid his stricken comrades, HC Hammond moved among the stalwart garrison of marines and, although critically wounded himself, valiantly continued to administer aid to the other wounded throughout an exhausting four-hour period. When the unit was ordered to withdraw, he skillfully directed the evacuation of casualties and remained in the fire-swept area to assist the corpsmen of the relieving unit until he was struck by a round of enemy mortar fire and fell, mortally wounded. By his exceptional fortitude, inspiring initiative, and self-sacrificing efforts, HC Hammond undoubtedly saved the lives of many marines. His great personal valor in the face of overwhelming odds enhances and sustains the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Resolutely advancing through the veritable curtain of fire to aid his stricken comrades, HC Hammond moved among the stalwart garrison of marines and, although critically wounded himself, valiantly continued to administer aid to the other wounded throughout an exhausting four-hour period.
When the unit was ordered to withdraw, he skillfully directed the evacuation of casualties and remained in the fire-swept area to assist the corpsmen of the relieving unit until he was struck by a round of enemy mortar fire and fell, mortally wounded.
- Awarded posthumously — died March 27, 1953.
- Age at death: 21
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Francis Colton Hammond received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Life beyond the battlefield
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Virginia →
Timeline
- November 9, 1931Born in Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia
- March 26, 1953Act of valor — near Sanae-dong, KoreaAge 21. 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (Attached), 1st Marine Division
- March 27, 1953Died in KoreaAge 21.
- December 29, 1953Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe Pentagon, Presented by Sec. of the Navy Robert B. Anderson to his infant Son
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Francis Colton Hammond (November 9, 1931 – March 26, 1953) was a United States Navy hospital corpsman who was killed in action while serving with a Marine Corps rifle company during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty during the night of March 26–27, 1953 during the Battle for Outpost Vegas.
From the Wikipedia article “Francis C. Hammond”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Francis Hammond — frigate
Videos
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