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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Air Force CPT Hilliard A. Wilbanks.
Medal of Honor
Episode 3021 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Air Force CPT Hilliard A. Wilbanks. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and an article by Katie Lang on the U.S. Department of Defense website.
Captain Hilliard A. Wilbanks, a true American hero, was a United States Air Force officer and Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient whose legacy stands as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and dedication. Born in Georgia, Wilbanks served as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron during the Vietnam War. On February 24, 1967, near Dalat, South Vietnam, Captain Wilbanks demonstrated extraordinary valor and selflessness in the face of overwhelming danger.
While flying an unarmed Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, Captain Wilbanks spotted a large force of Viet Cong preparing to ambush a group of South Vietnamese Rangers. With no time to call in reinforcements and no weapons aboard his aircraft aside from his personal M-16 rifle, Wilbanks made a fateful decision. He dove low over the enemy lines, firing his rifle out the side of his plane to disrupt the ambush and protect the friendly troops. On his third pass, he was fatally wounded by enemy fire, but his heroic actions saved countless lives on the ground.
Captain Hilliard A. Wilbanks was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States, for his gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. His sacrifice exemplifies the highest ideals of the U.S. Air Force and remains an enduring testament to bravery during the Vietnam War. Today, his name is etched in the annals of American military history as a courageous pilot and patriot who gave his life for others.
Listen to Episode 3021 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Air Force CPT Hilliard A. Wilbanks.
