Medal of Honor: William H. Wilbur – World War II (Operation Torch) – November 8, 1942

Name: William Hale Wilbur
Rank: Colonel
Organization: U.S. Army, Western Task Force, North Africa
Place and Date: Fedala, French Morocco – 8 November 1942
Entered Service At: Palmer, Massachusetts
Born: September 24, 1888 – Palmer, Massachusetts
Departed: December 27, 1979
Accredited To: Massachusetts
General Orders No.: 2, War Department, January 13, 1943

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Summary of Action

As American forces stormed the beaches of French Morocco during Operation Torch, Colonel William H. Wilbur’s mission was not one of destruction, but diplomacy. Tasked with reaching French commanders in Casablanca to deliver a message calling for a ceasefire, Wilbur knew that his path lay directly through enemy lines.

Landing at Fedala with the first assault waves, he immediately found himself in the midst of fierce resistance — machine-gun and artillery fire sweeping across his route. Undeterred, he commandeered a vehicle and drove straight toward the enemy, dodging bursts of fire until he reached a French officer who granted him passage through the forward defenses.

In total darkness, Wilbur pressed on through sixteen miles of hostile territory, often under heavy bursts of gunfire. He succeeded in locating the proper French officials in Casablanca and personally delivered his letters — accomplishing his mission alone, unarmed, and surrounded by enemy forces.

On his return trip, he spotted a French artillery battery firing on U.S. troops. Without hesitation, Wilbur took command of a nearby platoon of American tanks, personally led the assault, and captured the enemy guns.

From the beaches to the city and back again, Colonel Wilbur demonstrated fearless leadership, composure, and devotion to his men. His actions saved lives on both sides and marked him as one of the most daring officers of the North African campaign.

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Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army, Western Task Force, North Africa.
Place and date: Fedala, North Africa, 8 November 1942.
Entered service at: Palmer, Mass.
Birth: Palmer, Mass.
G.O. No.: 2, 13 January 1943.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. Col. Wilbur prepared the plan for making contact with French commanders in Casablanca and obtaining an armistice to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. On 8 November 1942, he landed at Fedala with the leading assault waves where opposition had developed into a firm and continuous defensive line across his route of advance. Commandeering a vehicle, he was driven toward the hostile defenses under incessant fire, finally locating a French officer who accorded him passage through the forward positions. He then proceeded in total darkness through 16 miles of enemy-occupied country intermittently subjected to heavy bursts of fire, and accomplished his mission by delivering his letters to appropriate French officials in Casablanca. Returning toward his command, Col. Wilbur detected a hostile battery firing effectively on our troops. He took charge of a platoon of American tanks and personally led them in an attack and capture of the battery. From the moment of landing until the cessation of hostile resistance, Col. Wilbur’s conduct was voluntary and exemplary in its coolness and daring.