Medal of Honor: Hilliard A. Wilbanks – U.S. Air Force – Vietnam War

Name: Hilliard A. Wilbanks
Rank: Captain
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Unit: 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Nha Trang AFB, Republic of Vietnam
Place: Near Dalat, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Atlanta, Georgia
Born: 26 July 1933, Cornelia, Georgia

Summary of Action

Serving as a forward air controller, Capt. Hilliard A. Wilbanks piloted an unarmed, light observation aircraft on a visual reconnaissance mission ahead of a South Vietnamese Army Ranger Battalion.

His careful search revealed a large, well-concealed Viet Cong force poised to ambush the advancing rangers. Once discovered, the enemy unleashed heavy fire against his small aircraft and simultaneously began advancing against the exposed ranger elements pinned down below.

Recognizing that close air support would not arrive in time, and fully aware of the vulnerability of his unarmored aircraft, Capt. Wilbanks made an extraordinary decision.

Flying at treetop level through intense antiaircraft fire, he assumed a close-support role. Passing directly over the advancing enemy, he leaned from the side window and fired his personal rifle into the hostile force, inflicting casualties and disrupting their assault.

Despite mounting enemy fire, he continued making repeated low passes, deliberately drawing the enemy’s attention away from the rangers.

His daring actions halted the enemy advance long enough for the ranger force to withdraw to safety.

During a final attack to protect the withdrawing troops, Capt. Wilbanks was mortally wounded. His bullet-riddled aircraft crashed between the opposing forces.

His courage and selfless devotion saved numerous friendly lives.

Medal of Honor Citation

WILBANKS, HILLIARD A.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As a forward air controller Capt. 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 Capt. 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. Capt. 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, Capt. 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 antiaircraft fire, Capt. 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, Capt. Wilbanks was mortally wounded and his bullet-riddled aircraft crashed between the opposing forces. Capt. 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 U.S. Air Force.