Wade Daniel Wilson
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

On 11 May 2012, then-Sergeant Wade Daniel Wilson was serving as Platoon Sergeant, 3rd Platoon, Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

On that day, in Musa Qal'eh District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Sgt Wilson was providing security for his vehicle after it was damaged by an Improvised Explosive Device. An insurgent posing as a civilian retrieved an AK-47 from a poppy field 20 meters away and opened fire on 4 Marines in the vicinity of the downed vehicle, critically wounding the Marine in the rear of the vehicle. Sgt Wilson drew his M9 pistol and, leaving the safety of his armored vehicle, closed with the insurgent, placing himself between the critically wounded Marine and the insurgent's barrage of fire. Sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, Sgt Wilson continued moving against the enemy until falling mortally wounded. Sgt Wilson's advance forced the insurgent to flee toward an element of Marines who subsequently engaged and killed him before he could inflict additional casualties. Sgt Wilson's selfless decision to place himself directly in the line of fire demonstrated tremendous courage and protected his fellow Marines from further harm. Sgt Wilson’s courageous and valorous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Wade D. Wilson, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Platoon Sergeant, 3d Platoon, Weapons Company, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) on 11 May 2012, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 11 May 2012, in Musa Qal'eh District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Sergeant Wilson was providing security for his vehicle after it was damaged by an Improvised Explosive Device. An insurgent posing as a civilian retrieved an AK-47 from a poppy field 20 meters away and opened fire on four Marines in the vicinity of the downed vehicle, critically wounding the Marine in the rear of the vehicle. Sergeant Wilson immediately drew his M9 pistol and, leaving the safety of his armored vehicle, fearlessly closed with the insurgent, placing himself between the critically wounded Marine and the insurgent's barrage of fire. Sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, he continued moving against the enemy until falling mortally wounded. Sergeant Wilson's advance forced the insurgent to flee toward an element of Marines who subsequently engaged and killed him before he could inflict additional casualties. His selfless decision to place himself directly in the line of fire demonstrated tremendous courage and protected his fellow Marines from further harm. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Sergeant Wilson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Sergeant Wade Daniel Wilson is buried at Evans Chapel Cemetery in Leona, Leon County, TX.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90051625/wade-daniel-wilson