Medal of Honor: Alfred L. Wilson – World War II – November 8, 1944
Under relentless artillery fire, one medic refused to fall back. Technician Fifth Grade Alfred L. Wilson crawled through the smoke and shrapnel, saving others even as his own life slipped away.
November 12, 2025
Name: Alfred Leonard Wilson
Rank: Technician Fifth Grade
Organization: U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division
Place and Date: Near Bezange-la-Petite, France – 8 November 1944
Entered Service At: Fairchance, Pennsylvania
Born: September 18, 1919 – Fairchance, Pennsylvania
Departed: November 8, 1944 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Pennsylvania
General Orders No.: 47, War Department, June 18, 1945
Summary of Action
When heavy artillery pinned down U.S. infantry near Bezange-la-Petite, France, Technician Fifth Grade Alfred L. Wilson — a medic — didn’t wait to be called. Hearing that another company was suffering terrible losses, he volunteered to go forward, moving through exploding shells to reach the wounded.
After administering aid and saving multiple lives, Wilson returned to his own unit — only to be caught in another burst of fire that left several comrades bleeding on the field. Though seriously wounded himself, he refused evacuation.
Working in agony and losing blood rapidly, Wilson crawled from man to man, bandaging wounds and applying life-saving treatment. When he could no longer stand, he dragged himself forward on his elbows to reach the next fallen soldier. As his strength failed, he called out instructions to untrained men, guiding them to continue the care he could no longer give.
Only when he could no longer speak did he lapse into silence. His final hours were spent saving others — ten men whose lives continued because he would not quit his post.
Medal of Honor Citation
Place and date: Near Bezange la Petite, France, 8 November 1944.
Entered service at: Fairchance, Pa.
Birth: Fairchance, Pa.
G.O. No.: 47, 18 June 1945.
Citation:
He volunteered to assist as an aid man a company other than his own, which was suffering casualties from constant artillery fire. He administered to the wounded and returned to his own company when a shellburst injured a number of its men. While treating his comrades he was seriously wounded, but refused to be evacuated by litter bearers sent to relieve him. In spite of great pain and loss of blood, he continued to administer first aid until he was too weak to stand. Crawling from one patient to another, he continued his work until excessive loss of blood prevented him from moving. He then verbally directed unskilled enlisted men in continuing the first aid for the wounded. Still refusing assistance himself, he remained to instruct others in dressing the wounds of his comrades until he was unable to speak above a whisper and finally lapsed into unconsciousness. The effects of his injury later caused his death. By steadfastly remaining at the scene without regard for his own safety, Cpl. Wilson through distinguished devotion to duty and personal sacrifice helped to save the lives of at least 10 wounded men.
