WILSON, ALFRED M.
PFC, USMC
Ector County, Texas

Picture:
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Biography:

Ambushed on March 3, 1969, in Quang Tri Province, with Company M, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, PFC Wilson was the rear squad's leader. He set up a fire base and blocking force. When his machine gunner and assistant were wounded, he crossed open terrain to retrieve the gun. As he and a companion reached the gun, an enemy soldier threw a grenade. Wilson unhesitatingly fell on the grenade, taking full force of its explosion. His heroic efforts inspired his comrades as they aggressively attacked and defeated the enemy. Wilson moved to Odessa with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred V. Wilson, and his sister, Sue, in 1950. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1967, where he participated in football, track, and the Distributive Education Club.

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION

Rank and organization:

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company M, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division.

Place and date:

Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 3 March 1969.

Entered service at:

Abilene, Texas

Born:

3 January 1948, Olney, Ill.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company M in action against hostile forces. While returning from a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the vicinity of Fire Support Base Cunningham, the 1st 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. Pfc. 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, Pfc. 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 2 marines. Observing the grenade fall between himself and the other marine, Pfc. 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. Pfc. Wilson's indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.