The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel William Hale Wilbur, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Western Task Force, in action at Fedala, French Morocco, North Africa. Colonel Wilbur prepared the plan for making contact with French commanders in Casablanca and obtaining an armistice to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. On 8 November 1942, he landed at Fedala with the leading assault waves where opposition had developed into a firm and continuous defensive line across his route of advance. Commandeering a vehicle, he was driven toward the hostile defenses under incessant fire, finally locating a French officer who accorded him passage through the forward positions. He then proceeded in total darkness through 16 miles of enemy-occupied country intermittently subjected to heavy bursts of fire, and accomplished his mission by delivering his letters to appropriate French officials in Casablanca. Returning toward his command, Colonel Wilbur detected a hostile battery firing effectively on our troops. He took charge of a platoon of American tanks and personally led them in an attack and capture of the battery. From the moment of landing until the cessation of hostile resistance, Colonel Wilbur’s conduct was voluntary and exemplary in its coolness and daring.