Hilliard A. Wilbanks
Hilliard Almond Wilbanks (July 26, 1933 – February 24, 1967) was a career officer and pilot in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.The enemy troops, seeing his plane, knew their ambush was being compromised, so they reacted with a barrage from mortars, machine guns and automatic weapons.Wilbanks was pilot of an unarmed, light aircraft flying visual reconnaissance ahead of a South Vietnam Army Ranger Battalion.Wilbanks' discovery had compromised their position and ability to launch a surprise attack, immediately fired on the small aircraft with all available firepower.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.Wilbanks continued to completely disregard his own safety and made repeated low passes over the enemy to divert their fire away from the rangers.On January 24, 1968, United States Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown presented the Medal of Honor to Wilbanks' widow at The Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia.
Cornelia, GeorgiaDi Linh DistrictLam Dong ProvinceRepublic of VietnamFayette, MississippiUnited States Air ForceCaptain21st Tactical Air Support SquadronVietnam WarMedal of HonorDistinguished Flying CrossPurple HeartAir MedalposthumouslyArmy of the Republic of VietnamDi LinhDa LatSouth Vietnamair policemanStrategic Air Commandaviation cadet programforward air controllerCessna O-1E Bird DogAir MedalsCentral HighlandsARVN Ranger BattalionViet CongM16 rifleoak leaf clustersAir Force Outstanding Unit AwardArmy Good Conduct MedalNational Defense Service Medalservice starVietnam Service MedalAir Force Longevity Service AwardArmed Forces Reserve MedalRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit CitationRepublic of Vietnam Campaign MedalGeorgia Aviation Hall of FameUnited States Secretary of the Air ForceHarold BrownThe PentagonArlington County, VirginiaDemorest, GeorgiaList of Medal of Honor recipientsFind a GraveUnited States Army Center of Military History