Harold E. Wilson
Chief Warrant Officer Harold Edward Wilson (December 5, 1921 – March 29, 1998) was a United States Marine who earned the United States' military highest award, the Medal of Honor, for heroism as a platoon sergeant of a rifle platoon in Korea on the night of April 23–24, 1951 during the Battle of Hwacheon. He received the award from President Harry S. Truman during ceremonies at the White House on April 11, 1952.
Harold Edward Wilson | |
|---|---|
Medal of Honor recipient | |
| Born | December 5, 1921 Birmingham, Alabama |
| Died | March 29, 1998 (aged 76) Lexington, South Carolina |
| Place of burial | Woodridge Memorial Park, Lexington, South Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1942–1945, 1947–1972 |
| Rank | Chief warrant officer |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion 1st Marines Marine Aircraft Group 13 |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Bronze Star Purple Heart (x5) |
Wounded four times during the night-long battle, he refused medical treatment to rally his men against overwhelming enemy forces. With both arms virtually disabled, he continued to pass ammunition to the hard-pressed Marines and moved from foxhole to foxhole aiding and encouraging his men. When the assault was finally broken, he personally accounted for each of his men before walking a half mile unassisted to an aid station.
A month earlier, he had earned the Bronze Star for "fearless and untiring leadership" of his platoon in several engagements from March 1–27, 1951. He had been wounded previously on December 9, 1950, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.