Harold E. Wilson
Harold Edward Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 5, 1921 |
| Died | March 29, 1998 (aged 76) |
| Buried | Woodridge Memorial Park, Lexington, South Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Service years | 1942–1945 1947–1972 |
| Rank | Chief warrant officer |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion 1st Marines Marine Aircraft Group 13 |
| Conflicts | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart (5) |
Chief Warrant Officer Harold Edward Wilson (December 5, 1921 – March 29, 1998) was a United States Marine who earned the United States' military highest award, the Medal of Honor, for heroism as a platoon sergeant of a rifle platoon in Korea on the night of April 23–24, 1951 during the Battle of Hwacheon. He received the award from President Harry S. Truman during ceremonies at the White House on April 11, 1952.
Wounded four times during the night-long battle, he refused medical treatment to rally his men against overwhelming enemy 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 accounted for each of his men before walking a half mile unassisted to an aid station.
A month earlier, he had earned the Bronze Star for "fearless and untiring leadership" of his platoon in several engagements from March 1–27, 1951. He was previously wounded on December 9, 1950, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.