Hilliard A. Wilbanks

Hilliard Almond Wilbanks was a career officer and pilot in the United States Air Force who served during the Vietnam War. He is best remembered for his heroic actions on February 24, 1967, near Di Linh, South Vietnam, where he sacrificed his life to protect a unit of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) that had been ambushed by a hostile force.

Operating as a forward air controller in an unarmed O-1 Bird Dog, Captain Wilbanks discovered the enemy ambush and repeatedly flew low over the enemy positions to draw their fire and disrupt their advance. When his smoke rockets were exhausted, he continued to attack the enemy using his M16 rifle fired through the side window of his aircraft. This actions successfully delayed the enemy advance, allowing the friendly unit to withdraw to safety.

During his final pass, Captain Wilbanks was mortally wounded and his aircraft crashed. For his extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry at the cost of his life, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His legacy remains a prominent chapter in the history of U.S. Air Force forward air controllers.