Corporal Alfred “Mac” Wilson

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Alfred Mac Wilson (MCSN: 2421744), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 3 March 1969, while serving as a rifleman with Company M, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against hostile enemy forces in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. While returning from a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the vicinity of Fire Support Base Cunningham, the First Platoon of Company M came under intense automatic weapons fire and a grenade attack from a well concealed enemy force. As the center of the column was pinned down, the leading squad moved to outflank the enemy. Private First Class Wilson, acting as squad leader of the rear squad, skillfully maneuvered his men to form a base of fire and act as a blocking force. In the ensuing fire fight, both his machine gunner and assistant machine gunner were seriously wounded and unable to operate their weapons. Realizing the urgent need to bring the weapon into operation again, Private First Class Wilson, followed by another Marine and with complete disregard for his safety, fearlessly dashed across the fire-swept terrain to recover the weapon. As they reached the machinegun, an enemy soldier stepped from behind a tree and threw a grenade toward the two Marines. Observing the grenade fall between himself and the other Marine, Private First Class Wilson, fully realizing the inevitable result of his actions, shouted to his companion and unhesitating threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the full force of the explosion with his own body. His heroic actions inspired his platoon members to maximum effort as they aggressively attacked and defeated the enemy. Private First Class Wilson's indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Action Date: 3-Mar-69

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Private First Class

Company: Company M

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Regiment: 9th Marines

Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Alfred Mac Wilson was born in Olney, Illinois, on January 13, 1948, the second child to Fred and Edna (O'Neill) Wilson. The Wilson family moved to Odessa, Texas, in 1950. Growing up in Texas, Wilson preferred being called “Mac” to Alfred. Active in numerous clubs, he also was a member of the high school football and track teams. Wilson graduated from Odessa Senior High School in 1967. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in Abilene on November 1, 1967.

After completing recruit training, individual combat training, and basic infantry training, Private First Class (PFC) Wilson was assigned to the First Marine Division in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, in July 1968. In September, Wilson was reassigned to Company M, Third Battalion, Ninth Marine Regiment, Third Marine Division. In early 1969 as part of Operation Dewey Canyon, the Ninth Marines sought to prevent North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces from using their sanctuaries along the A Shau Valley near the Laotian border. On March 3, 1969 (the final day of Operation Dewey Canyon), PFC Wilson’s platoon came under intense fire from a NVA force. Taking charge of the squad, Wilson directed his men to form a fire base. After both his machine gunner and his assistant were wounded, Wilson and another marine moved rapidly to recover the weapon under intense fire, but after they reached the machine gun, an enemy grenade landed on the ground between Wilson and his companion. Wilson threw himself on the grenade and absorbed the force of the explosion that took his life. His actions inspired the rest of the platoon to attack and defeat the enemy force.

PFC Alfred “Mac” Wilson was returned to Odessa and buried in the Sunset Memorial Gardens. Three months after his death on June 6, 1969, Wilson’s fifty-two-year-old mother Edna Wilson died of a heart attack and was buried next to her son. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew presented the Medal of Honor to PFC Wilson’s father Fred Wilson and sister Marilyn Sue at the White House on April 20, 1970.

In early 2008 a drive began in Odessa to honor the young Texas hero of the Vietnam War. On July 8, 2008, Texas Congressman Michael Conaway introduced legislation to name the Odessa post office after Corporal Wilson. On February 5, 2009, Mayor Larry Melton, Congressman Conaway, and about 200 people participated in a ceremony in which the post office in Odessa was officially dedicated the Corporal Alfred “Mac” Wilson Post Office Building.