The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Wilbur Wilson (ASN: 0-42494), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Senior Advisor to II Corps, and then as Senior Advisor to III Corps, Military Assistance Advisory Group Vietnam, during the period August 1961 to December 1964. Colonel Wilson’s outstanding effectiveness in fulfilling difficult responsibilities was of great value to the progress of the United States advisory effort in the Republic of Vietnam. Through his perseverance, diplomacy, discernment, and objectivity, he insured the continuity of operations and the stability of the counterinsurgency effort during a period in which the Government of the Republic of Vietnam experienced a series of coups d’etat. Although the Corps Commanders were changed several times, he provided each of the Vietnamese general officers with sound guidance and succeeded in persuading them to continue counterinsurgency operations in accordance with National Campaign Plans. Under his able direction, II Corps and III Corps pacification operations and projects were revitalized despite the constantly changing political situation. With foresight, determination, and well-calculated planning, he worked diligently to enable the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and its paramilitary auxiliaries to achieve military ascendancy over the insurgent forces and to eliminate the threat posed by the hostile elements in the Republic of Vietnam. By his professional competence and tenacity of purpose, he played a major role in the timely reorientation of rapidly changing counterpart personnel, as well as in the practical training of a new generation of United States Army staff officers and field advisors. His decisive leadership and dedicated devotion to duty contributed in great measure to the success of counterinsurgency objectives in the Republic of Vietnam, to the defense effort of his country, and to the security of the Free World. Colonel Wilson’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service. [This award supersedes award of the Legion of Merit (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) for exceptionally meritorious service during the period 18 August 1961 to 13 December 1962, as announced in General Orders Number 304, Headquarters, United States Army Pacific, APO San Francisco 96558, dated 22 July 1963.]