Alfred L. Wilson

Alfred Leonard Wilson (September 18, 1919 – November 8, 1944) was a United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War II.

Alfred L. Wilson
Technician Fifth Grade Alfred Wilson
BornSeptember 18, 1919
Fairchance, Pennsylvania
DiedNovember 8, 1944 (aged 25)
Bezange-la-Petite, France
Place of burial
Maple Grove Cemetery Fairchance, Pennsylvania
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1943–1944
RankTechnician Fifth Grade
Unit328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Wilson joined the Army from his birth city in March 1943[1] and by November 8, 1944, was serving as a technician fifth grade with the Medical Detachment of the 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division.[2] During a firefight on that day, near Bezange-la-Petite, France, Wilson was severely wounded but refused evacuation and continued to treat other injured soldiers until he fell unconscious. He died of his wounds and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later, on June 18, 1945.[2]

Wilson, aged 25 at his death, was buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in his hometown of Fairchance, Pennsylvania.[3]

Medal of Honor citation

Technician Wilson's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He volunteered to assist as an aid man a company other than his own, which was suffering casualties from constant artillery fire. He administered to the wounded and returned to his own company when a shellburst injured a number of its men. While treating his comrades he was seriously wounded, but refused to be evacuated by litter bearers sent to relieve him. In spite of great pain and loss of blood, he continued to administer first aid until he was too weak to stand. Crawling from 1 patient to another, he continued his work until excessive loss of blood prevented him from moving. He then verbally directed unskilled enlisted men in continuing the first aid for the wounded. Still refusing assistance himself, he remained to instruct others in dressing the wounds of his comrades until he was unable to speak above a whisper and finally lapsed into unconsciousness. The effects of his injury later caused his death. By steadfastly remaining at the scene without regard for his own safety, Cpl. Wilson through distinguished devotion to duty and personal sacrifice helped to save the lives of at least 10 wounded men.[4]

See also

References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. WWII Army Enlistment Records
  2. http://www.usa-patriotism.com/heroes/moh/ww2/wilson_a.htm
  3. "Alfred L. Wilson". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  4. "World War II Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor citations archive. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on 31 December 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
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