"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could have withdrawn, he held fast and led his squadron into the attack.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."
From Maj. Wilkins' Medal of Honor citation, awarded on March 24, 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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