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Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army, Western Task Force, North
Africa. Place and date: Fedala, North Africa, 8 November 1942.
Entered service at:
Palmer, Mass. Birth: Palmer, Mass. G.O. No.: 2, 13 January
1943. 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.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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