The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Ernest Bayley Wilson (ASN: 0-73931), United States Army, for heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Wilson distinguished himself on 16 February 1968, while serving as Acting Battalion Commander of the 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, during a reconnaissance in force mission south of Can Tho, Vietnam. While observing the battle proceedings from his Command and Control Helicopter, Major Wilson continuously braved the hail of highly accurate rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire to direct artillery and gun ships against the enemy force. As a result of his accurate direction, his heavily engaged companies were able to advance on the insurgents. After directing the pilot to land and extract a wounded soldier from a small landing zone, Major Wilson remained on the ground with his artillery liaison officer and continued to direct the companies in battling the enemy force. He remained in the battle area throughout the night and through his courageous actions the enemy force was routed. Major Wilson’s heroic actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Action Date:
July 1970 – August 1972
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) Ernest Bayley Wilson (ASN: 0-73931), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period July 1970 to August 1972 while serving successively as Training Officer, Doctrine and Training Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Executive Officer to the Commander in Chief, United States Army, Pacific. Throughout his tenure Colonel Wilson consistently displayed exemplary professionalism, outstanding managerial and organizational abilities, and dedicated devotion to duty. As Training Officer, his detailed knowledge, gained through comprehensive on site surveys and exhaustive research in security assistance training plans and programs, enabled him to recommend sound solutions to problems created by constantly changing military and political situations. While Executive Officer, Colonel Wilson was a valuable assistant to the Commander in Chief. He insured expeditious processing of correspondence and constantly apprised the Commander in Chief of current significant data. Since March 1972 Colonel Wilson assumed additional duties as Aide de Camp and fulfilled numerous varied and demanding tasks with extraordinary effectiveness. Colonel Wilson’s outstanding achievements are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Bronze Star Medal
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 5450 (July 6, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major (Infantry) Ernest Bayley Wilson (ASN: 0-73931), United States Army, for heroism in connection with military actions involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Wilson distinguished himself by valorous actions on 15 May 1968, while serving as Executive Officer of the 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a company sized reconnaissance in force mission near Mo Cay, Vietnam. During a lull in the fighting, the company commander rallied his troops for an assault on the treeline. Seeing that several of the company’s radio-telephone operators had been wounded, Major Wilson unhesitatingly seized a radio and rushed forward under heavy fire to the commander’s position. The communications link he provided was instrumental to the success in the mission. Major Wilson’s personal bravery and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.