THE WALL OF FACES

Dear p5 Gerald Wilson, Thank you for your service as a Special Forces Qualified Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Valentine's Day is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear SSGT Gerald Lee Wilson, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Gerald Lee Wilson (ASN: RA-14718110), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment B-20, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Staff Sergeant Wilson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 May 1969 while serving as Commander of a Mobile Strike Force Company involved in a search and clear mission near the Ben Het Special Forces Camp in the rugged Central Highlands. At dawn the unit came under fierce hostile attack and began receiving countless mortar and rocket rounds. Moving to an exposed position of the defensive perimeter, Sergeant Wilson began to call in artillery barrages on the enemy. When another American advisor was wounded by small arms fire, Sergeant Wilson dragged him to the safety of a bomb crater to treat his wounds. He then returned to call in bombardment and was knocked to the ground by enemy fire. Realizing that many of his company were withdrawing from the vicious assault, he ignored his wounds and rallied his men in a counterattack which succeeded in pushing the assailants back. After retaking the company's position, he continued to expose himself to enemy fire while moving from position to position pointing out the location of enemy soldiers. In the process of calling in artillery to silence the enemy, he was mortally wounded by an enemy small arms round. Staff Sergeant Wilson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2202 (June 23, 1969)

Action Date: 21-May-69

Service: Army

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Company: Detachment B-20, Company B

Regiment: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Division: 1st Special Forces

Gerald is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Albany, Dougherty County,GA.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers