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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Corporal Alfred Mac Wilson, USMC
Alfred M. Wilson, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in March 1969, was born 13 January 1948, in Olney, Illinois. He moved with his parents and sister to Odessa, Texas, in 1950, and attended Burleson Elementary School, Crockett Junior High School, and graduated from Odessa Senior High School in 1967. He was active in football and track as well as the Distributive Education Club while in high school. His hobbies included shooting, hunting, fishing, football, and tennis.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at Abilene, Texas, 1 November 1967, and was discharged to enlist in the Regular Marine Corps, 14 January 1968.
He underwent recruit training with the 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon completion of recruit training, in April 1968, he was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, and completed individual combat training with Company D, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry Training Regiment, in May, and basic infantry training in June. He was promoted to private first class, 1 July 1968.
Private First Class Wilson arrived in the Republic of Vietnam, in July 1968, and was assigned duty as a rifleman with Company D, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He served in this capacity until September 1968. Reassigned as a rifleman with Company M, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division, he was killed in action in the vicinity of Fire Support Base, Cunningham, Quang Tri Province, on 3 March 1969.
A complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
At the time of his death, Private First Class Wilson was survived by his father, Mr. Fred V. Wilson, and one sister, Mrs. Sue Aleman, both residing in Odessa, Texas. His mother is deceased.
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, Tex. Born: 13 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.
 Courtesy of Find A Grave
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