Capt. Hilliard A. Wilbanks, Medal of Honor

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Captain Hilliard Almond Wilbanks (AFSN: 3056748), United States Air Force (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, 21st Tactical Air Support Group, in action over Dalat, Republic of Vietnam, on 24 February 1967. As a forward air controller Captain 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 Captain 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. Captain 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, Captain 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 anti-aircraft fire, Captain 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, Captain Wilbanks was mortally wounded and his bullet-riddled aircraft crashed between the opposing forces. Captain 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 United States Air Force.

General Orders: GB-50, February 8, 1968

Action Date: 24-Feb-67

Service: Air Force Reserve

Rank: Captain

Company: 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron

Regiment: 21st Tactical Air Support Group

Division: Nha Trang Air Force Base, Vietnam

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/vietnam-bird...

Hilliard Wilbanks was born in 1933 in Cornelia, Georgia. Not quite old enough to join the fight during World War Two, Wilbanks would watch the action from afar as a child and wait for the day he too could serve.

As soon as he was able, at the age of 17, Wilbanks enlisted in the newly minted Air Force in 1950. The nation was once again engaged in combat, but Wilbanks’ experience in combat would have to wait. He initially served as an air policeman with the Strategic Air Command.

Missing out on the action in Korea, Wilbanks then pursued a lifelong dream to fly by joining the aviation cadet program. After becoming a commissioned officer in 1955, Wilbanks would soon find himself over the skies of Vietnam in the 1960s, getting his first taste of action. In 1966, Wilbanks was serving as a forward air controller with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron. He would fly the Cessna 0-1E Bird Dog which was used to provide close air support and reconnaissance for ground troops. At a top speed of only 105 mph, it was easy for the Cessna to find itself exposed and right in the thick of the fight.

As of early 1967, Wilbanks had distinguished himself throughout 487 combat missions and had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross along with 17 Air Medals.

http://www.gaaviationhalloffame.com/Hall-of-Fame.48.0.html?avid=90