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Navy Federal Credit Union
Walter
Eugene
Wilber
POW (RVN)
January 17, 1930

–

July 8, 2015

Walter Wilber was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on June 16, 1968. During his captivity, he became convinced that the United States’ role in the war was wrong, and despite being the second-senior officer, refused to participate in the organized POW resistance efforts. He was released from captivity with other Prisoners of War on February 12, 1973, but was excluded from NAM POWs, the post-captivity organization of Vietnam War POWs, because of his actions in captivity.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June 16, 1968 – February 12, 1973

    Captain Walter Eugene Wilber, United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 16, 1968 until his release on February 12, 1973.

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CVA-9)

    Action Date:

    May 28, 1959
    All Hands (February 1960)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Walter Eugene Wilber, United States Navy, for heroic conduct while serving on board U.S.S. ESSEX (CVA-9) on the morning of 28 May 1959. When a fighter type aircraft, upon landing, crashed into several other places parked abaft the island on the flight deck of ESSEX, resulting in an immediate explosion and intense fire, Lieutenant Wilber attempted to extinguish the blazing clothing of one of the men in the vicinity of the burning airplanes by using his own body as a smothering blanket, and by removing and using some of his own clothing to extinguish the flames. He then went under one of the burning aircraft to assist an injured man to safety. Until more experienced medical assistance was available, he capably directed the evacuation of the casualties from the scene of the fire.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 194 (VF-194)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Boxer

    Action Date:

    May 20, 1953
    All Hands (September 1954)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Walter Eugene Wilber, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Plane with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR (VF-194), based on board the U.S.S. BOXER, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 20 May 1958. Participating in a pre-briefed night heckler mission over enemy-held territory, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wilber initiated an attack against a train in the vicinity of Sinchang and, despite limited visibility, scored a direct hit with a five hundred pound bomb, which blew the train from the tracks down an embankment. Utilizing his flares, he continued to carry out a series of concentrated attacks until all his ordnance was expended and three boxcars were left destroyed and burning. By his expert airmanship, courageous initiative and steadfast devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wilber contributed materially to the success of the BOXER in its assigned missions and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.