Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Samuel
Vaughn
Wilson
1923-09-23

–

Born:

Rice

, 

Virginia

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    5307th Composite Unit

    Action Date:

    March 15, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces, China-Burma-India, General Orders No. 131 (October 12, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566/0-1290347), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 5307th Composite Unit in action in North Burma on 15 March 1944. Because of command inefficiency, two platoons of a combat team were pinned down, unable to return fire, retreat, or evacuate their wounded. Lieutenant Wilson, although not a member of this team, acting on his own initiative and with utter disregard for his own life, took over command. Setting up mortars, Lieutenant Wilson personally crawled to the Japanese lines and using radio, directed mortar fire on the enemy. As a result the platoons were able to withdraw, though still under heavy fire. Lieutenant Wilson, under this fire, carried back two wounded men of one of the platoons that had withdrawn to a safe position. He immediately reorganized the team, saving the entire unit from being routed and badly shot up. Lieutenant Wilson’s actions are representative of the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    July 1967 – February 1971

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566/0-1290347), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in positions of great responsibility culminating as Assistant Division Commander, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from July 1967 to February 1971. While serving in key positions within the United States Army John F. Kennedy Center for Military Assistance and the United States Army Institute for Military Assistance, General Wilson built a reputation for wisdom, professional competence, and inspired leadership. In this manner, he founded a school headquarters where none had existed, and made it work; he developed a program of instruction in support of the Army’s newest career field, the Military Assistance Officer Program; and he caused a comprehensive study to be conducted touching every phase of Institute operation, projecting future plans and commitments. While serving as the Assistant Division Commander for Operations, 82d Airborne Division, General Wilson aggressively insured that the Division consistently met and maintained the highest standards of operational readiness. His first hand knowledge of the mission requirements of the Division and his personal involvement in the formulation and implementation of a new training program resulted in a substantial increase and significant improvement of the training and educational programs of the 82d Airborne Division. General Wilson’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the finest traditions of the United States Army and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    June 1961 – December 1962
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 23 (May 20, 1963)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Executive Officer to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Special Operations), during the period June 1961 to December 1962. Colonel Wilson demonstrated professional competence, keen insight, and mature judgment in rendering service of exceptional value to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Special Operations) and to the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary of Defense. By his broad knowledge of the aspects of guerrilla, counter-guerrilla, and sub-limited warfare, combined with his unique analytical ability and untiring efforts, he contributed materially to the resolution of many diverse and complex problems concerning critical areas of the world. In representing the Secretary of Defense in negotiations with senior officials of other United States departments and agencies, he displayed diligence, diplomacy, and inherent ability to apply operational solutions to politico-military realities which resulted in the successful accomplishment of many sensitive tasks. His cooperation, technical skill, and outstanding effectiveness proved invaluable to the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Special Operations) in fulfilling its responsibilities. By his intelligent analysis of Defense problems and dedicated devotion to duty, he achieved optimum results in his areas of responsibility and earned the high regard of all associated with him. Colonel Wilson’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    5307th Composite Unit

    Action Date:

    March 28, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces, China-Burma-India, General Orders No. 63 (June 19, 1944)

    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 (Infantry) Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566/0-1290347), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 5307th Composite Unit on the night of 28 March 1944, at ****, Burma. Lieutenant Wilson with utter disregard for his own life, returned to a previously evacuated area under a terrific Artillery barrage to aid some of his wounded men who could not be evacuated that night.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    June 1964 – May 1967
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 33 (July 26, 1967)

    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) Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from June 1964 to May 1967 while serving with the United States Mission, Vietnam. During Colonel Wilson’s tenure, he served in three distinct and important capacities as Associate Director for Field Operations, United States Agency for International Development, Vietnam; as United States Mission Coordinator, Vietnam; and as Senior United States Representative in Long An Province, Republic of Vietnam. Throughout his assignment, Colonel Wilson fulfilled all of his highly complex, many faceted, and internationally significant responsibilities in an outstanding manner, demonstrating conspicuous initiative, concise judgment, unremitting dedication, and an acute perception of the essentials of counterinsurgency warfare. Colonel Wilson’s keen awareness of operational priorities and mission objectives, coupled with his exemplary foresight and ingenuity, enabled him to respond to all requirements with an unprecedented degree of efficiency and competence. Fully recognizing the several military, politico-diplomatic, and socio-economic aspects of the Vietnam conflict, Colonel Wilson prosecuted a determined, simultaneous attack on the problems inherent in rebuilding a war-torn nation, while still confronted with a tenacious and unscrupulous enemy in the field. His perceptive and sincere empathy for the Vietnamese people in all walks of life became the driving force for programs of civic action and security that have improved the health, education, and safety of hundreds of small and large Vietnamese communities. Innovations brought to the conduct of this multiple-pronged war against oppression, ignorance and poverty being waged by the Republic of Vietnam and her Free World allies by Colonel Wilson, have been marked by originality and a thoughtful understanding of human values which transcend the daily turmoil and struggle, and have brought the ultimate goal of peace and prosperity within reach of all participants. Colonel Wilson’s professional competence and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the time-honored traditions of the United States Army and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the United States Government.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    June 1971 – March 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency from June 1971 to March 1973. During this period, Brigadier General Wilson provided exemplary service to the United States Ambassador as Defense and Army AttachŽ to the United States Embassy, Moscow, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics. His personal relationships with senior Soviet officials resulted directly in the unqualified success of a number of highly important undertakings by the United States Government. Brigadier General Wilson’s performance of duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    March 1976 – January 1977
    Military Personnel Awards Memorandum 77-1 (January 14, 1977)

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious achievement while serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) (Resources and Management) and then concurrently as Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, and Deputy Director of Defense Intelligence (Production, Plans and Operations) during the period March 1976 to January 1977. During this period he displayed superlative leadership qualities and professional competence of the highest order in the realignment of Department of Defense intelligence activities and planning, direction, and management of the Defense Intelligence Agency. As a member of the Defense Intelligence Board, he was instrumental in an active dialogue between Defense intelligence users and producers, insuring production of quality products responsive to user needs. To provide better focus on production and management activities, General Wilson carried out he most extensive reorganization of the Defense Intelligence Agency since its founding, initiating a complete manpower survey and a number of in-depth management improvement studies to achieve optimum use of diminishing resources. The singular distinctive achievements of General Wilson reflect the highest credit upon himself, the Department of Defense, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    April 1973 – August 1977

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States in positions of great responsibility and trust from April 1973 to August 1977, serving successively as Deputy Director for Estimates, Deputy Director for AttachŽ Affairs, Deputy to the Director; and Director, Defense Intelligence Agency. During this period, which represents the capstone of an illustrious and distinguished military career, spanning more than 36 years of active service, Lieutenant General Wilson exemplified professional capabilities and personal traits of leadership, initiative, and integrity essential for maximum contribution to the security of the United States. By his superb leadership of this large and complex joint organization of 4,400 military and civilian persons, worldwide, he steered the Agency through some of its most difficult times since its establishment in 1961. His assessments and evaluations in Strategic Arms Limitation, Mutual Balanced Force Reductions in Europe, Panama Canal Treaty negotiations, Soviet threat in the third world, impact of the US force reductions in South Korea, and the prospects for peace in the Middle East assisted the President and Secretary of Defense in making critical decisions. His initiative led to greatly improved intelligence support of contingency planning by the unified and specified commands and their service components. His professionalism, resourcefulness, and leadership in international events and crises contributed significantly to the preservation of national security. His superior performance of duty as Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, culminates a distinguished and heroic service as soldier, leader, and statesman and reflects the highest credit upon him, the Department of Defense, and the United States Army.