AIR COMMANDO 2 Wilbanks, Hilliard Almond

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Wilbanks
  • FORENAME
Hilliard Almond
  • UNIT
21 Tactical Air Support Squadron (505 Tactical Control Group)
  • RANK
Captain
  • NUMBER
3056748
  • DATE OF DEATH
24th February 1967
  • AGE
33
  • GRAVESITE
Fayette Cemetery,Fayette,Jefferson County,Mississippi
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Cornelia,Georgia
born 26.7.1933 Cornelia,Georgia
married (4 children)
entered service 1950 Atlanta,Georgia
16 years service
Strategic Air Command (air policeman) 1950-54
Aviation Cadet Program
commissioned June 1955
instructor
21 TASS April 1966
awards Medal of Honor,D.F.C.,Air Medal with 18 oak leaf clusters,Air Force Commendation Medal
pilot (Walt Forward Air Controller)
Cessna 01-G serial no 51-5078
KIA near Da Lat,Lam Dong Province,South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,DC Panel 15E Line 88
 

DATE OF DEATH:

24-Feb-1967

AWARD:

https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/wilbanks-hilliard-almond.31251/

CITATION:

Medal of Honor : The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Captain Hilliard Almond Wilbanks (AFSN: 3056748), United States Air Force (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, 21st Tactical Air Support Group, in action over Dalat, Republic of Vietnam, on 24 February 1967. As a forward air controller Captain Wilbanks was pilot of an unarmed, light aircraft flying visual reconnaissance ahead of a South Vietnam Army Ranger Battalion. His intensive search revealed a well-concealed and numerically superior hostile force poised to ambush the advancing rangers. The Viet Cong, realizing that Captain Wilbanks' discovery had compromised their position and ability to launch a surprise attack, immediately fired on the small aircraft with all available firepower. The enemy then began advancing against the exposed forward elements of the ranger force which were pinned down by devastating fire. Captain Wilbanks recognized that close support aircraft could not arrive in time to enable the rangers to withstand the advancing enemy, onslaught. With full knowledge of the limitations of his unarmed, unarmored, light reconnaissance aircraft, and the great danger imposed by the enemy's vast firepower, he unhesitatingly assumed a covering, close support role. Flying through a hail of withering fire at treetop level, Captain Wilbanks passed directly over the advancing enemy and inflicted many casualties by firing his rifle out of the side window of his aircraft. Despite increasingly intense anti-aircraft fire, Captain Wilbanks continued to completely disregard his own safety and made repeated low passes over the enemy to divert their fire away from the rangers. His daring tactics successfully interrupted the enemy advance, allowing the rangers to withdraw to safety from their perilous position. During his final courageous attack to protect the withdrawing forces, Captain Wilbanks was mortally wounded and his bullet-riddled aircraft crashed between the opposing forces. Captain Wilbanks' magnificent action saved numerous friendly personnel from certain injury or death. His unparalleled concern for his fellow man and his extraordinary heroism were in the highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/1357
Last edited by a moderator:
Top