Harold Edward "Speedy" Wilson
Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Harold Edward Wilson was born on 5 December 1921 in Birmingham, AL, and attended public schools there. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and was assigned to active duty on 20 April 1942. During World War II, he served overseas for 27 months and was stationed on Midway Island. In addition to his Pacific service, he was stationed at Parris Island, SC; Camp Lejeune, NC; and Portsmouth, VA.. He was honorably discharged on 20 October 1945, with the rank of Sergeant.

Two years later, he re-entered the Organized Marine Corps Reserve, joining the Birmingham unit. Recalled to active duty in August 1950 after the outbreak of the Korean War, he was assigned to Company G, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. Arriving with his unit in Korea in November 1950, he participated in the Wonsan landing, and later fought in the Chosin Reservoir campaign and in the first United Nations counteroffensive.

On the night of 23-24 April 1951, although Wilson was wounded four times during the night-long battle, he refused medical treatment to rally his men against overwhelming Communist 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. For his heroic actions, Wilson was awarded the Medal of Honor.

A month earlier, he had earned the Bronze Star for "fearless and untiring leadership" of his platoon in several engagements from 1-27 March 1951. He had been wounded previously on 9 December 1950 during the Chosin Reservoir campaign.

Medal of Honor

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

TECHNICAL SERGEANT HAROLD E. WILSON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Platoon Sergeant of a Rifle Platoon attached to Company G, Third Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 23-24 April 1951. When the company outpost was overrun by the enemy while his platoon, firing from hastily-constructed foxholes, was engaged in resisting the brunt of a fierce mortar, machine-gun, grenade and small-arms attack launched by hostile forces from high ground under cover of darkness, Technical Sergeant Wilson braved intense fire to assist the survivors back into the line and to direct the treatment of casualties. Although twice wounded by gunfire, in the right arm and the left leg, he refused medical aid for himself and continued to move about among his men, shouting words of encouragement. After receiving further wounds in the head and shoulder as the attack increased in intensity, he again insisted upon remaining with his unit. Unable to use either arm to fire, and with mounting casualties among our forces, he resupplied his men with rifles and ammunition taken from the wounded. Personally reporting to his company commander on several occasions, he requested and received additional assistance when the enemy attack became even more fierce and, after placing the reinforcements in strategic positions in the line, directed effective fire until blown off his feet by the bursting of a hostile mortar round in his face. Dazed and suffering from concussion, he still refused medical aid and, despite weakness from loss of blood, moved from foxhole to foxhole, directing fire, resupplying ammunition, rendering first aid and encouraging his men. By his heroic actions in the face of almost certain death, when the unit's ability to hold the disadvantageous position was doubtful, he instilled confidence in his troops, inspiring them to rally repeatedly and turn back the furious assaults. At dawn, after the final attack had been repulsed, he personally accounted for each man in his platoon before walking unassisted one-half mile to the aid station where he submitted to treatment. His outstanding courage, initiative and skilled leadership in the face of overwhelming odds were contributing factors in the success of his company's mission and reflect the highest credit upon Technical Sergeant Wilson and the United States Naval Service.

/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

Wilson received the award from President Harry S. Truman during ceremonies at the White House on 11 April 1952.

After Korea

Following the 23-24 April 1951 action in which he was wounded and earned the Medal of Honor, he was evacuated to the Yokosuka Naval Hospital in Japan and five months later returned to the United States.

He was awarded a meritorious promotion to Master Sergeant in June 1951 and commissioned a Warrant Officer in August 1952. In December 1962, he assumed the post of Adjutant at the Marine Corps Engineer Schools, Camp Lejeune, and the following December was assigned to Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, serving as Adjutant and Personnel Officer of the 2nd Tank Battalion.

Chief Warrant Officer Wilson was also a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving with Marine Aircraft Group 13 prior to being assigned as 6th Marine Corps District Personnel Officer in November 1968. He retired from the Marine Corps in February 1972.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"
Purple Heart with 4 Gold Stars (indicative of five awards)
Presidential Unit Citations - 2
Good Conduct Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal with 3 Battle Stars
United Nations Service Medal
Korean Presidential Unit Citation

Death and Burial

Chief Warrant Officer Harold Edward Wilson died in Lexington, SC, on 29 March 1998. He is buried in Woodridge Memorial Park, Lexington, SC, in Summit 2, Lot 191.