Medal of Honor: Edward G. Wilkin – U.S. Army – World War II

Name: Edward G. Wilkin
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company C, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
Place: Siegfried Line, Germany
Entered Service At: Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Born: Burlington, Vermont
G.O. No.: 119, 17 December 1945

Summary of Action

During the assault on the Siegfried Line, Cpl. Edward G. Wilkin’s unit was pinned down by heavy enemy fire from riflemen and concealed pillboxes.

Acting on his own initiative, Wilkin moved forward alone to find a path through the defenses.

Advancing into terrain thick with fortified positions, he repeatedly rose to his feet and walked directly into intense fire, attacking one pillbox after another with grenades and automatic rifle fire. He killed enemy soldiers, captured prisoners, and shattered the cohesion of the defense.

When barbed wire blocked further advance, he secured bangalore torpedoes and blasted a path forward—continuing under relentless fire from grenades, mortars, and machineguns.

He fought in the open against enemies protected by concrete fortifications, even pursuing fleeing soldiers across open ground and through trench systems while under crossfire, pushing nearly 200 yards beyond any other American position.

That night, exhausted, he refused rest—choosing instead to distribute supplies to his fellow soldiers.

Learning that a nearby company was suffering heavy casualties, he volunteered to guide litter bearers into the combat zone. Throughout the night and the next two days, he repeatedly entered enemy-held territory to evacuate the wounded, disregarding artillery, mortar fire, and direct enemy fire.

Over three days of continuous combat, Wilkin single-handedly neutralized six pillboxes, killed at least nine enemy soldiers, wounded thirteen, and captured or helped capture dozens more—while saving countless American lives.

One month later, he was killed in action while continuing to fight deep in Germany.

Medal of Honor Citation

WILKIN, EDWARD G.

He spearheaded his unit’s assault of the Siegfried Line in Germany. Heavy fire from enemy riflemen and camouflaged pillboxes had pinned down his comrades when he moved forward on his own initiative to reconnoiter a route of advance. He cleared the way into an area studded with pillboxes, where he repeatedly stood up and walked into vicious enemy fire, storming 1 fortification after another with automatic rifle fire and grenades, killing enemy troops, taking prisoners as the enemy defense became confused, and encouraging his comrades by his heroic example. When halted by heavy barbed wire entanglements, he secured bangalore torpedoes and blasted a path toward still more pillboxes, all the time braving bursting grenades and mortar shells and direct rifle and automatic-weapons fire. He engaged in fierce fire fights, standing in the open while his adversaries fought from the protection of concrete emplacements, and on 1 occasion pursued enemy soldiers across an open field and through interlocking trenches, disregarding the crossfire from 2 pillboxes until he had penetrated the formidable line 200 yards in advance of any American element. That night, although terribly fatigued, he refused to rest and insisted on distributing rations and supplies to his comrades. Hearing that a nearby company was suffering heavy casualties, he secured permission to guide litter bearers and assist them in evacuating the wounded. All that night he remained in the battle area on his mercy missions, and for the following 2 days he continued to remove casualties, venturing into enemy-held territory, scorning cover and braving devastating mortar and artillery bombardments. In 3 days he neutralized and captured 6 pillboxes single-handedly, killed at least 9 Germans, wounded 13, took 13 prisoners, aided in the capture of 14 others, and saved many American lives by his fearless performance as a litter bearer. Through his superb fighting skill, dauntless courage, and gallant, inspiring actions, Cpl. Wilkin contributed in large measure to his company’s success in cracking the Siegfried Line. One month later he was killed in action while fighting deep in Germany.