AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1B

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to William M. Wilkerson, Warrant Officer, W1, United States Army, 118 th Avn Co, 145 th Avn Bn, for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Warrant Officer Wilkerson distinguished himself on 23 October 1965 while serving as aircraft commander on a UH-1B helicopter in support of a Vietnamese ground unit that was conducting a search and destroy operation in the vicinity of Trang Bang, Republic of Vietnam. On this date, a Vietnamese ranger unit had made contact with a Viet Cong force and suffered several casualties which included and American advisor. At approximately 1800 hours, Warrant Officer Wilkerson was informed that he was to lift troops into the embattled area. He was briefed on the situation and assigned as the number three aircraft in a formation of twelve. The flight departed the staging area for Duc Hoa, where they picked up a company of Vietnamese rangers and flew them into the embattled area. On the first lift into the landing zone, Warrant Officer Wilkerson's aircraft, which was in the lead element, did not receive any hostile fire as they had the element of surprise. On the second lift into the area, the flight began to receive intense small arms fire and automatic weapons fire. As the troops began to exit Warrant Officer Wilkerson's helicopter, a mortar round exploded near the aircraft, killing eight rangers instantly and wounding his pilot and crew chief. Although dazed by the explosion, Warrant Officer Wilkerson maneuvered his battered helicopter out of the landing zone. During the course of action, his helicopter received numerous direct hits from the Viet Cong fire. He took evasive action and flew the aircraft toward Saigon, where he was able to obtain medical aid for his seriously wounded pilot and crew chief. Upon landing, Warrant Officer Wilkerson was found to have suffered from multiple fragment wounds on his arm. Later, it was discovered that his helicopter had received one hundred and six holes of various sizes on its left side. Warrant Officer Wilkerson's heroic actions, outstanding flying ability, and personal bravery were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.