Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Special Operations, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Awarded on:

1945

Awarded for:

Operation Jedburgh

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Office of Strategic Services, in action against enemy forces on 21 April 1944 to 12 September 1944. After having been parachuted into France, Captain Layton achieved his mission of organization, arming and training resistance forces with extraordinary courage and ability. Despite a large-scale enemy attack which caused the loss of most of the personnel which he had assembled against formidable obstacles, he managed his escape under intense enemy fire, with unabated persistence and coolness, reorganizing his group and led it in numerous successful attacks against the enemy. Captain Layton's unremitting cool, utter scorn for danger and brilliant performance of an extremely hazardous mission are illustrative of the finest military characteristics and do credit both to him and the United States Armed Forces."

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 212