Sergeant Richmond Hobson Hilton, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on October 11, 1918 in Brancourt, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company M, 118th Infantry, 30th Division. Hilton was 22 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Hilton was born on October 8, 1896 in Westville, Kershaw County, South Carolina. Hilton died on August 13, 1933 in Lake Murray, South Carolina, at the age of 36. He is buried at Quaker Cemetery in Camden, South Carolina.
Hilton is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 33 credited to South Carolina.
Official Medal of Honor citation
While Sgt. Hilton's company was advancing through the village of Brancourt it was held up by intense enfilading fire from a machine gun. Discovering that this fire came from a machine-gun nest among shell holes at the edge of the town, Sgt. Hilton, accompanied by a few other soldiers, but well in advance of them, pressed on toward this position, firing with his rifle until his ammunition was exhausted, and then with his pistol, killing six of the enemy and capturing 10. In the course of this daring exploit he received a wound from a bursting shell, which resulted in the loss of his arm.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- October 8, 1896Born in Westville, Kershaw County, South Carolina
- October 11, 1918Act of valor — Brancourt, FranceAge 22. Company M, 118th Infantry, 30th Division
- August 13, 1933Died in Lake Murray, South CarolinaAge 36.
- Resting placeQuaker CemeteryCamden, South Carolina
