Medal of Honor: Benjamin F. Wilson - Korean War - June 5, 1951

Name: Benjamin F. Wilson
Rank: First Lieutenant (then Master Sergeant)
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Korean War
Unit: Company I, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 5, 1951
Location: Near Hwach’on-Myon, Korea

Summary of Action

On 5 June 1951, First Lieutenant Benjamin F. Wilson displayed extraordinary heroism while leading Company I during an assault against heavily fortified enemy positions near Hwach’on-Myon, Korea.

The attacking force was pinned down by withering fire from a numerically superior enemy occupying commanding terrain.

Recognizing that the advance had stalled, Wilson charged forward alone.

Firing his rifle and throwing grenades as he advanced, he overran the position that had halted the attack and personally killed four enemy soldiers manning submachine guns.

With the obstacle eliminated and his platoon moving forward, Wilson immediately led a bayonet assault against the objective.

The ferocious attack broke the enemy's defenses, killing approximately twenty-seven hostile soldiers and securing the position.

As American troops consolidated their gains, the enemy launched a determined counterattack that threatened to overrun the newly won ground.

Without hesitation, Wilson once again attacked by himself.

His lone charge shattered the assault, killing seven enemy soldiers, wounding two more, and throwing the remaining attackers into retreat.

The battle was far from over.

Pressing onward toward the final objective, Wilson led another assault until heavy enemy fire halted the advance only fifteen yards from its goal.

Although wounded, he ordered his men to withdraw while he remained behind to provide covering fire.

During the enemy's renewed counterattack, both the company commander and the platoon leader became casualties.

Wilson immediately charged into the advancing enemy.

He killed three enemy soldiers with his rifle before they wrested it from his hands.

Refusing to surrender, he seized his entrenching tool and continued fighting at close quarters, killing four more enemy soldiers in brutal hand-to-hand combat.

His fearless delaying action bought precious time for his comrades to reorganize and withdraw in good order.

Even after suffering a second wound, Wilson refused evacuation and remained on the battlefield until every wounded soldier had been safely removed.

His relentless courage, aggressive leadership, and absolute devotion to his fellow soldiers embodied the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

WILSON, BENJAMIN F.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant (then Master Sergeant), U.S. Army, Company I, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Hwach’on-Myon, Korea, 5 June 1951.

Entered service at: Vashon, Wash.

Birth: Vashon, Wash.

G.O. No.: 69, 23 September 1954.

Citation:

1st Lt. Wilson distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Company I was committed to attack and secure commanding terrain stubbornly defended by a numerically superior hostile force emplaced in well-fortified positions. When the spearheading element was pinned down by withering hostile fire, he dashed forward and, firing his rifle and throwing grenades, neutralized the position denying the advance and killed four enemy soldiers manning submachineguns. After the assault platoon moved up, occupied the position, and a base of fire was established, he led a bayonet attack which reduced the objective and killed approximately twenty-seven hostile soldiers. While friendly forces were consolidating the newly won gain, the enemy launched a counterattack and 1st Lt. Wilson, realizing the imminent threat of being overrun, made a determined lone-man charge, killing seven and wounding two of the enemy, and routing the remainder in disorder. After the position was organized, he led an assault carrying to approximately fifteen yards of the final objective, when enemy fire halted the advance. He ordered the platoon to withdraw and, although painfully wounded in this action, remained to provide covering fire. During an ensuing counterattack, the commanding officer and 1st Platoon leader became casualties. Unhesitatingly, 1st Lt. Wilson charged the enemy ranks and fought valiantly, killing three enemy soldiers with his rifle before it was wrested from his hands, and annihilating four others with his entrenching tool. His courageous delaying action enabled his comrades to reorganize and effect an orderly withdrawal. While directing evacuation of the wounded, he suffered a second wound, but elected to remain on the position until assured that all of the men had reached safety. 1st Lt. Wilson’s sustained valor and intrepid actions reflect utmost credit upon himself and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.