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Hilliard A. Wilbanks was born on 26 July, 1933 in Cornelia, Georgia, US, is a US Air Force Medal of Honor recipient (1933–1967). Discover Hilliard A. Wilbanks's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 33 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 33 years old
Zodiac Sign Leo
Born 26 July, 1933
Birthday 26 July
Birthplace Cornelia, Georgia, US
Date of death 24 February, 1967
Died Place Di Linh District, Lam Dong Province, Republic of Vietnam
Nationality Georgia

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 26 July. He is a member of famous with the age 33 years old group.

Hilliard A. Wilbanks Height, Weight & Measurements

At 33 years old, Hilliard A. Wilbanks height not available right now. We will update Hilliard A. Wilbanks's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

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Hilliard A. Wilbanks Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Hilliard A. Wilbanks worth at the age of 33 years old? Hilliard A. Wilbanks’s income source is mostly from being a successful . He is from Georgia. We have estimated Hilliard A. Wilbanks's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
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Timeline

1933

Hilliard Almond Wilbanks (July 26, 1933 – February 24, 1967) was a career officer and pilot in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.

1950

Wilbanks joined the Air Force in August 1950, and was an air policeman with the Strategic Air Command during his first four years of service.

1955

He was then accepted into the aviation cadet program, and became a commissioned officer in June 1955.

1960

After serving as an instructor for a few years, he qualified as a fighter pilot in the early 1960s.

1966

He arrived in Vietnam in April 1966 as a forward air controller (FAC) with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron piloting a Cessna O-1E Bird Dog, with a top speed of about 105 mph. FACs were the key link in providing close air support to ground troops fighting in the Vietnam jungle.

1967

He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life on February 24, 1967, while supporting a unit of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) at Di Linh, near Da Lat, South Vietnam.

By February 24, 1967, he had flown 487 combat missions and had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and eight Air Medals.

He was within two months of returning home.

Late in the afternoon of the 24 February, Wilbanks was in the air above the Central Highlands, flying reconnaissance for an ARVN Ranger Battalion.

He discovered Viet Cong units concealed on two hilltops.

The Rangers were on foot, making their way through a tea plantation that gave them little or no cover.

They were walking into an ambush.

As Wilbanks flew his O-1E on a low-level sweep of the area, he radioed a warning to the Rangers.

The enemy troops, seeing his plane, knew their ambush was being compromised, so they reacted with a barrage from mortars, machine guns and automatic weapons.

Wilbanks flew through the heavy fire as he marked the area with white phosphorus rockets.

The Viet Cong, knowing that fighters would soon be coming, charged down the slopes toward the outnumbered Rangers.

Wilbanks watched the drama from above and realized the fighters would not arrive in time before the Rangers were overrun.

Diving toward the advancing troops, Wilbanks fired his remaining phosphorus rockets.

The line momentarily stopped, but the Viet Cong knew he had no more rockets.

They began their advance again.

The fighters had still not arrived.

Wilbanks had one more weapon, an M16 rifle.

Grabbing his rifle, he began a series of strafing runs at about 100 ft, firing it through the side window and reloading between passes.

He managed to distract the enemy troops and momentarily slowed their advance.

The Viet Cong diverted their fire against the low-flying O-1E.

On his third pass, Wilbanks was severely wounded and crashed in the battle area.

An Army Ranger ran to his plane and pulled the unconscious Wilbanks from the wreckage.

A flight of F-4s strafed the enemy while a helicopter picked up the wounded Wilbanks.

He died while being evacuated to a hospital.

Citation:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As a forward air controller Capt. Wilbanks was pilot of an unarmed, light aircraft flying visual reconnaissance ahead of a South Vietnam Army Ranger Battalion. His intensive search revealed a well-concealed and numerically superior hostile force poised to ambush the advancing rangers. The Viet Cong, realizing that Capt. Wilbanks' discovery had compromised their position and ability to launch a surprise attack, immediately fired on the small aircraft with all available firepower. The enemy then began advancing against the exposed forward elements of the ranger force which were pinned down by devastating fire. Capt. Wilbanks recognized that close support aircraft could not arrive in time to enable the rangers to withstand the advancing enemy onslaught. With full knowledge of the limitations of his unarmed, unarmored, light reconnaissance aircraft, and the great danger imposed by the enemy's vast firepower, he unhesitatingly assumed a covering, close support role.

Flying through a hail of withering fire at treetop level, Capt. Wilbanks passed directly over the advancing enemy and inflicted many casualties by firing his rifle out of the side window of his aircraft.

Despite increasingly intense antiaircraft fire, Capt. Wilbanks continued to completely disregard his own safety and made repeated low passes over the enemy to divert their fire away from the rangers.

His daring tactics successfully interrupted the enemy advance, allowing the rangers to withdraw to safety from their perilous position.

During his final courageous attack to protect the withdrawing forces, Capt. Wilbanks was mortally wounded and his bullet-riddled aircraft crashed between the opposing forces.

Capt. Wilbanks' magnificent action saved numerous friendly personnel from certain injury or death.

His unparalleled concern for his fellow man and his extraordinary heroism were in the highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force."

Wilbanks, aged 33 at his death, was buried in Fayette Methodist Cemetery in Fayette, Mississippi.

1968

On January 24, 1968, United States Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown presented the Medal of Honor to Wilbanks' widow at The Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia.

Wilbanks is a member of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.