Harold Wilson
Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
HAROLD E. WILSON, O-659942, First Lieutenant, Lincoln, Nebraska. For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the European and North African Theaters of Operations as navigator on a B-17 type aircraft. While approaching the bombing run over Marsala, Sicily on 11 May 1943, Lieutenant Wilson’s plane was persistently attacked by ten enemy fighters. During the combat, the bombardier’s oxygen line was severed and he collapsed from anoxia. Alertly dragging the bombardier from the line of fire, Lieutenant Wilson took over the bombsight and accurately bombed the target. Subsequent attacks disabled the number four engine, and as the bomber lost altitude and formation, enemy fighters pressed in from all sides. Expertly manning nose guns, Lieutenant Wilson damaged one ME 109 and played an outstanding part in repelling enemy aircraft until his lone plane reached friendly territory. Throughout his distinguished combat service, this officer’s courageous and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. GO #131, HQ Northwest African Air Forces, 3 July 1943.
1st Lt. Harold E Wilson was assigned to the 301st BG 419th Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): N.
11/1/1942 Came to UK with Unit 5/11/1943 Distinguished Flying Cross 5/24/1943 Air Medal/Oak Leaf Cluster 4/6/1943 Harold was listed on a roster of personnel assigned to the 301st Bombardment Group on this date, 6 April 1943, when they were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). PUC
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