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 (Field Artillery) Donald Eugene Wilbourn (ASN: 0-25606), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 915th Field Artillery Battalion, 90th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in France, on 7 August 1944. First Lieutenant Wilbourn’s field artillery participated in the VIII Corps attack south of Seves Island. When 359th Infantry Regiment met heavy enemy resistance, First Lieutenant Wilbourn directed the artillery fire that enabled the 359th to overtake the enemy rear guard south of Perriers, and resulted in the ultimate capture and occupation of St. Sauveur de Lendelin. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Wilbourn, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

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 (Field Artillery) Donald Eugene Wilbourn (ASN: 0-25606), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy while serving with the 915th Field Artillery Battalion, 90th Infantry Division, near the town of L’Arche, France, on 26 July 1944. First Lieutenant Wilbourn’s battalion was supporting Task Force Weaver in its advance to Le Mans and onward to the Mayenne River Crossing. Company A, 359 Infantry Regiment held, lost, then ultimately regained the town of Le Bourg, as a vastly superior force from the SS Panzer Division, Das Reich, desperately tried to open an escape route. First Lieutenant Wilbourn and his forward observer team were able to stop successive German counterattacks by directing critical Artillery fire from a position in the attic of a house within the enemy-occupied town. This culminated in the decisive Battle of the Falaise Gap, resulting in the capture of more than 13,000 German solders. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Wilbourn, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.