Alfred Leonard Wilson

Treated the Wounded Until He Could No Longer Speak.

Alfred Leonard Wilson was a U.S. Army medic from Fairchance, Pennsylvania, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions near Bezange-la-Petite, France, on 8 November 1944. He joined the Army in March 1943 and served as a technician fifth grade with the Medical Detachment, 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division.

During heavy artillery fire, Wilson volunteered to help another company before returning to treat casualties in his own. Seriously wounded himself, he refused evacuation and continued caring for others. When blood loss left him unable to stand or crawl, he instructed fellow soldiers in first aid until he lost consciousness. The citation credits his sacrifice with helping save at least ten men.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

“He volunteered to assist as an aidman a company other than his own, which was suffering casualties from constant artillery fire. He administered to the wounded and returned to his own company when a shell burst injured a number of its men. While treating his comrades he was seriously wounded, but refused to be evacuated by litter bearers sent to relieve him. In spite of great pain and loss of blood, he continued to administer first aid until he was too weak to stand. Crawling from one patient to another, he continued his work until excessive loss of blood prevented him from moving. He then verbally directed unskilled enlisted men in continuing the first aid for the wounded. Still refusing assistance himself, he remained to instruct others in dressing the wounds of his comrades until he was unable to speak above a whisper and finally lapsed into unconsciousness. The effects of his injury later caused his death. By steadfastly remaining at the scene without regard for his own safety, Cpl. Wilson through distinguished devotion to duty and personal sacrifice helped to save the lives of at least 10 wounded men.”

Wilson died on 8 November 1944 and was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery at Fairchance. His Medal of Honor was announced in War Department General Orders No. 47, dated 18 June 1945. A memorial plaque at the church in Bezange-la-Petite commemorates his service with the 26th Infantry Division.