WILSON, ALFRED M.

WILSON, ALFRED M. (1948–1969). Alfred M. Wilson, Medal of Honor recipient, was born in Olney, Illinois, to Mr. and Mrs. Fred V. Wilson on January 13, 1948. He was a 1967 graduate of Odessa High School in Odessa, Texas, where he was active in football, track, and distributive education. He entered military service in Abilene, Texas. Private First Class Wilson was assigned to Company M, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, on March 3, 1969. He was a rifleman in action against hostile forces with the First Platoon of Company M. As they returned from a reconnaissance mission, the soldiers came under intense attack by a well-concealed enemy force. In the attempt to return a vital machine gun to action Wilson and another marine crossed an area swept by automatic weapons fire. As they reached the machine gun, an enemy soldier stepped from behind a tree and threw a grenade toward them. Wilson shouted to the other marine and threw himself on the grenade. He absorbed the force of the explosion with his own body, and in so doing saved the life of his companion. Wilson was the second Medal of Honor recipient to be buried at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Odessa, Texas.