Navy Federal Credit Union

Raymond Wilkins received a Silver Star for actions during the first American counteroffensive in the Pacific in April 1942, a week before the Doolittle Raid on Japan. Seven Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded to Air Crews of B-27 Flying Fortresses of the 19th Bombardment Group (H) and ten B-25 Mitchell Bombers of the 3d Bombardment Group (L), and more than 35 Silver Stars were awarded for the four-day operation. He later earned the Medal of honor in an action from which he never returned His remains were never recovered. A marker in his memory was placed at Olive Branch Cemetery in his hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    8th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 28, 1943

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Four Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Raymond Harrell Wilkins (ASN: 0-429531), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight over Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 28 July 1943. Major Wilkins led his squadron as a second element of a large formation of B25D-1 type bombers in an attack on Cape Gloucester airdrome and two enemy destroyers offshore. These attacks were made after the fighter escort had turned back, due to extremely bad weather, and in the face of numerous enemy fighters. Despite heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, an enemy bomber on the airdrome and anti-aircraft positions were bombed and strafed. He then led his squadron in an attack on two destroyers although he had sighted numerous enemy fighters. He scored one direct hit on the larger destroyer and two direct hits and several very near misses on the smaller destroyer and by accurate strafing silenced anti-aircraft positions on their decks. On the last bombing run, Major Wilkins airplane was intercepted by enemy fighters but he completed the run and assembled the other bombers of his squadron. By using evasive action and flying low over the water, he eluded nine attacking fighters and led his bombers back to their base.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    8th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 8, 1942 – March 16, 1943

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Raymond Harrell Wilkins (ASN: 0-429531), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in more than fifty operational flight missions from 8 March 1942 to 16 March 1943, in the Southwest Pacific Area during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These operations consisted of attack missions against enemy airdromes and bases, shipping and naval forces, troops, and lines of communication and supply. These flights involved bombing and dive-bombing attacks, and low-level strafing attacks in the face of intense enemy ground fire and fighter interception. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    8th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 27, 1943

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Raymond Harrell Wilkins (ASN: 0-429531), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism in flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty over Victoria Bay and Kairiru Straits on 27 September 1943. Major Wilkins was leader of a squadron of nine B25D-1 type bombers which made a successful attack on enemy shipping. He dropped two 500 pound bombs on a 3-4000 ton merchant vessel in Victoria Bay from mast height, scoring one direct hit amidships and causing it to burn, list and then sink. Anti-aircraft fire from this ship was intense and accurate. Major Wilkins then bombed five or six luggers in Kairiru Strait while the other airplanes of his squadron bombed shore installations and shipping. Although several of the bombers were damaged, Major Wilkins reassembled the squadron and led the airplanes back safely to the home base. His skillful leadership was largely responsible for the success of the mission.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    8th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 2, 1943

    War Department, General Orders No. 23 (March 24, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Raymond Harrell Wilkins, United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber with the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group (M), Fifth Air Force 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 anti-aircraft fire was expected, Major Wilkins briefed his squadron so that his airplane would be in the position of greatest risk. His squadron was the last of three 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 Major 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 anti-aircraft 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 Major Wilkins destroyed two enemy vessels, and his heroic self-sacrifice made possible the safe withdrawal of the remaining planes of his squadron.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    8th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Bombardment Group (L)

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 10 – 14, 1942

    Headquarters, Allied Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, General Orders No. 18 (June 6, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Raymond Harrell Wilkins (ASN: 0-429531), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber of the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group (Light), Far East Air Force during the performance of an aerial flight against an armed enemy in the Pacific Theater of Operations. From the period 1 to 14 April 1942, First Lieutenant Wilkins participated in four highly successful bombing raids on enemy-occupied airdromes, during which 17 enemy bomber aircraft and one fighter aircraft were destroyed, as well as damage done to buildings, runways and other ground installations. During these operations Lieutenant Wilkins demonstrated grim determination, devotion to duty, and coolness in the face of danger. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    8th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 28, 1943

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Raymond Harrell Wilkins (ASN: 0-429531), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism in flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty over Hansa Bay, New Guinea on 28 August 1943. Major Wilkins was the leader of a flight of twenty-six B25D-1 type bombers which made an attack on enemy shipping in Hansa Bay. He planned the approach and co-ordinated attack of the three squadrons on different objectives in the area. The mission was successfully accomplished, resulting in the destruction of a number of enemy ships. Large fuel and supply dump fires were started, many anti-aircraft positions were silenced, and numerous valuable photographs were taken of shipping and shore operations. He also led his own squadron in a second pass on shipping in Hansa Bay although this engagement was not included in the original plans of the mission. This bombing run resulted in the destruction of at least two additional vessels. Major Wilkins then scored direct bomb hits on a partially sunken freighter-transport, which he set afire, and on an armed enemy vessel at the southeast end of the harbor. The latter vessel exploded and was completely destroyed. Whilst making these bombing runs, his aircraft was subjected to intense and accurate anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire from shore positions alongside the vessels.