Harold E. Wilson

Who was Harold E. Wilson?

Chief Warrant Officer Harold Edward Wilson 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 23-April 24, 1951. 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 Communist 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 personally 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 1-March 27, 1951. He had been wounded previously on December 9, 1950 during the Chosin Reservoir campaign.