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World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Major Raymond H. Wilkins, U.S. Army Air Corps
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia and enlisted in the Army in July 1936. Served as a Major, U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater. On November 2, 1943, he led a formation of eight B-25s against enemy Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, New Britain. His airplane was hit almost immediately but he held fast and led his squadron into the attack. He strafed a group of small harbor vessels and then at low level, attacked an destroyed two enemy ships. With his damaged stabilizer completely shot off, he avoided swerving into his wing planes by deliberately exposing his B-25 to enemy fire. Past control, he and his bomber crashed into the sea. His self sacrifice made possible the safe withdrawal of the remaining planes of his squadron. It was his 87th combat mission. In addition to the Medal of Honor he was also awarded the Silver Star, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals and the Purple Heart. Body lost at sea, Remains never found.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: Near Rabaul, New Britain, 2 November 1943. Entered service at: Portsmouth, Va. Born: 28 September 1917, Portsmouth, Va. G.O. No.: 23, 24 March 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Rabaul, New Britain, on 2 November 1943. Leading his squadron in an attack on shipping in Simpson Harbor, during which intense antiaircraft fire was expected, Maj. Wilkins briefed his squadron so that his airplane would be in the position of greatest risk. His squadron was the last of 3 in the group to enter the target area. Smoke from bombs dropped by preceding aircraft necessitated a last-second revision of tactics on his part, which still enabled his squadron to strike vital shipping targets, but forced it to approach through concentrated fire, and increased the danger of Maj. Wilkins' left flank position. His airplane was hit almost immediately, the right wing damaged, and control rendered extremely difficult. Although he could have withdrawn, he held fast and led his squadron into the attack. He strafed a group of small harbor vessels, and then, at low level, attacked an enemy destroyer. His 1,000 pound bomb struck squarely amidships, causing the vessel to explode. Although antiaircraft fire from this vessel had seriously damaged his left vertical stabilizer, he refused to deviate from the course. From below-masthead height he attacked a transport of some 9,000 tons, scoring a hit which engulfed the ship in flames. Bombs expended, he began to withdraw his squadron. A heavy cruiser barred the path. Unhesitatingly, to neutralize the cruiser s guns and attract its fire, he went in for a strafing run. His damaged stabilizer was completely shot off. To avoid swerving into his wing planes he had to turn so as to expose the belly and full wing surfaces of his plane to the enemy fire; it caught and crumpled his left wing. Now past control, the bomber crashed into the sea. In the fierce engagement Maj. Wilkins destroyed 2 enemy vessels, and his heroic self-sacrifice made possible the safe withdrawal of the remaining planes of his squadron.
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