"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second
Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy
Japanese forces at Fonte Hill, Guam, Marianas Islands, 25 and July 26,
1944. Ordered to take that portion of the hill within his zone of
action, Captain Wilson initiated his attack in mid-afternoon, pushed up
the rugged, open terrain against terrific machine-gun and rifle
fire for 300 yards and successfully captured the objective. Promptly
assuming command of other disorganized units and motorized equipment in
addition to his own company and one reinforcing platoon, he organized
his night defenses in the face of continuous hostile fire and, although
wounded three times during this five-hour period, completed his
disposition of men and guns before retiring to the company command post
for medical attention. Shortly thereafter, when the enemy launched the
first of a series of savage counterattacks lasting all night, he
voluntarily rejoined his besieged units and repeatedly exposed himself
to the merciless hail of shrapnel
and bullets, dashing fifty yards into the open on one occasion to
rescue a wounded Marine lying helpless beyond the front lines. Fighting
fiercely in hand-to-hand encounters,
he led his men in furiously waged battle for approximately ten hours,
tenaciously holding his line and repelling the fanatically renewed counter thrusts until he succeeded in crushing the last efforts of the
hard-pressed Japanese early the following morning. Then, organizing a
seventeen-man patrol, he immediately advanced upon a strategic slope
essential to the security of his position and, boldly defying intense mortar,
machine-gun and rifle fire which struck down thirteen of his men, drove
relentlessly forward with the remnants of his patrol to seize the vital
ground. By his indomitable leadership, daring combat tactics and
dauntless valor in the face of overwhelming odds, Captain Wilson
succeeded in capturing and holding the strategic high ground in his
regimental sector, thereby contributing essentially to the success of
his regimental mission and to the annihilation of 350 Japanese troops.
His inspiring conduct throughout the critical periods of this decisive
action enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
From Capt. Wilson's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian
Louis Wilson Drive in Brandon, Mississippi
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