TFH 10/21: PFC Richard G. Wilson, USA

Richard Gene Wilson was born on August 19, 1931 in Marion, IL to Bert and Alice Wilson. His parents and his six siblings - Jo Ann, Norman, Norris Dean, Ronald, Rosemary, and Shirley - relocated to Cape Girardeau, MO in 1939. He attended Central High School in Cape Girardeau, but felt his Nation's call to service after his junior year. Wilson left school and enlisted in the United States Army on his seventeenth birthday, August 19, 1948.

After basic traning, combat medic training, and airborne training, he was assigned to the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, then part of the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. The 187th is a storied regiment of our Army. Fighting in the Pacific during World War II, the unit was nicknamed "The Rakkasans" while on occupation duty in Japan. "Rakassan" is Japanese for "falling down umbrella men"; the nickname stuck. The regimental motto is Ne Destit Virtus - Let Valor Not Fail. Among the alumni of the 187th are two of our greatest modern commanders: General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. and General David Petraeus.

When the Korean War erupted in late June of 1950, the 11th Airborne Division was one of the earliest US Army units sent to fight. Before leaving for war, Richard Wilson married his high school sweetheart, Yvonna Lee Fowler on August 29, 1950.

As a prelude to the Battle of Yongju, the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team jumped into battle on October 20th. Wilson landed by parachute at drop zone "William" near Sukchon with the rest of the 2nd Battalion. The next day, our brave paratroopers found themselves in intense combat with the North Korean 239th Regiment near Opa-ri. As his unit advanced through a narrow valley, they were ambushed by the North Koreans. Casualties were immediate and severe. One soldier in particular, and with awesome courage, laid his own life and safety below that of the wounded and dying. That man was Richard Wilson.

From Medal of Honor Citations from the Korean War:

*WILSON, RICHARD G.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Co. 1, 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. 

Combat medics are a special breed. As was the case with PFC Wilson, they are often unarmed but yet are still targeted and murdered by the enemies of liberty. We all owe a special thanks to these brave servicemen who enter combat without the ability to defend themselves while they care for the wounded and dying.

Let Valor Not Fail. Richard Wilson rose to that challenge. Today, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 187th Infantry continue to serve our great Nation as part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division. In the battles they are yet to fight, I am certain that their valor will never fail the cause of freedom.