William Hale Wilbur

Drove through enemy fire, then led tanks to capture the guns

On 8 November 1942, Colonel William Hale Wilbur landed with the leading assault waves at Fedala, Morocco, carrying a mission intended to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. French resistance had formed a defensive line across his route. He commandeered a vehicle and advanced under fire until a French officer allowed him through the forward positions.

Wilbur continued through darkness across 16 miles of enemy-held territory, enduring further bursts of fire while carrying letters to French officials in Casablanca. After delivering the messages, he turned back toward his command.

On the return journey, Wilbur found an enemy artillery battery firing effectively on American troops. He took command of a platoon of American tanks and personally led the attack that captured the position. The Medal of Honor recognized both his dangerous journey and his assault on the battery.

Born in Palmer, Massachusetts, on 24 September 1888, Wilbur graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1912. His military education later included study in France, the Command and General Staff School and the Army War College. He served through World War I. During World War II he served with the Western Task Force in North Africa and subsequently as assistant commander of the 36th Infantry Division in Italy.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented his Medal of Honor on 22 January 1943 in Morocco. Wilbur rose to brigadier general and retired from the Army in 1947. He died on 27 December 1979, aged 91, and was buried at West Point.

**Medal of Honor citation**

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. Col. Wilbur prepared the plan for making contact with French commanders in Casablanca and obtaining an armistice to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. On 8 November 1942, he landed at Fedala with the leading assault waves where opposition had developed into a firm and continuous defensive line across his route of advance. Commandeering a vehicle, he was driven toward the hostile defenses under incessant fire, finally locating a French officer who accorded him passage through the forward positions. He then proceeded in total darkness through 16 miles of enemy-occupied country intermittently subjected to heavy bursts of fire, and accomplished his mission by delivering his letters to appropriate French officials in Casablanca. Returning toward his command, Col. Wilbur detected a hostile battery firing effectively on our troops. He took charge of a platoon of American tanks and personally led them in an attack and capture of the battery. From the moment of landing until the cessation of hostile resistance, Col. Wilbur's conduct was voluntary and exemplary in its coolness and daring.”