Medal of Honor: Richard G. Wilson, Korean War, October 21, 1950

Name: Richard G. Wilson
Rank: Private First Class
War: Korean War
Date of Action: October 21, 1950
Unit: Company I, Medical Company, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment
Born: August 19, 1931 – Marion, Illinois
Entered Service At: Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Summary of Action
Deep in the hills near Opari, Korea, Company I moved through a narrow valley when sudden, devastating fire erupted from all sides. Mortars crashed among the rocks and machine guns swept the column, cutting down dozens of soldiers before they could react. Amid the chaos, Private First Class Richard Wilson—the company’s lone medic—sprang into action. Crawling through open fire, he moved from man to man, bandaging wounds, pulling the injured to cover, and refusing to take shelter himself.

When the order came to withdraw, Wilson stayed behind to make sure no one was left in the kill zone. Only after checking every body did he fall back with the survivors. Moments later, he learned that a wounded soldier—thought to be dead—had been seen moving in the valley they had just escaped. Without hesitation, Wilson grabbed his aid bag, turned around, and ran back into the storm of enemy fire.

Two days later, a patrol found him. He lay beside the man he had gone to save, both still and silent. His body was riddled with bullets—his hands still clutching his medical kit.

Private Wilson’s fearless devotion to his comrades, and his final act of mercy under fire, marked him as one of the true guardian angels of the battlefield.

Medal of Honor Citation
WILSON, RICHARD G.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Co. I, Medical Company, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Opari, Korea, 21 October 1950. Entered service at: Cape Girardeau, Mo. Born: 19 August 1931, Marion, Ill. G.O. No.: 64, 2 August 1951.
Citation: Pfc. Wilson distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. As medical aid man attached to Company I, he accompanied the unit during a reconnaissance in force through the hilly country near Opari. The main body of the company was passing through a narrow valley flanked on 3 sides by high hills when the enemy laid down a barrage of mortar, automatic-weapons and small-arms fire. The company suffered a large number of casualties from the intense hostile fire while fighting its way out of the ambush. Pfc. Wilson proceeded at once to move among the wounded and administered aid to them oblivious of the danger to himself, constantly exposing himself to hostile fire. The company commander ordered a withdrawal as the enemy threatened to encircle and isolate the company. As his unit withdrew Private Wilson assisted wounded men to safety and assured himself that none were left behind. After the company had pulled back he learned that a comrade previously thought dead had been seen to be moving and attempting to crawl to safety. Despite the protests of his comrades, unarmed and facing a merciless enemy, Pfc. Wilson returned to the dangerous position in search of his comrade. Two days later a patrol found him lying beside the man he returned to aid. He had been shot several times while trying to shield and administer aid to the wounded man. Pfc. Wilson’s superb personal bravery, consummate courage and willing self-sacrifice for his comrades reflect untold glory upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the military service.