Vernon Charles Wilderspin
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

Vernon Charles Wilderspin was born on 7 March 1943 in Munising, MI, the son of Charles Joseph and Geralda Hickey Wilderspin. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on 10 October 1966 in Michigan.

On 31 January 1968, Specialist Four Vernon Charles Wilderspin was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Wilderspin was medical aidman for an armor platoon on a combat mission near Tan Son Nhut Air Base. His unit was moving to engage a combined Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army force that had attacked the air base. His unit was subjected to automatic weapons and anti-tank rocket fire from the numerically-superior enemy. SPC4 Wilderspin jumped from his armored personnel carrier to administer first aid to wounded comrades. Exposing himself to hostile fire, he moved throughout the battlefield to provide medical aid. After aiding many casualties, including his seriously wounded platoon leader, SPC4 Wilderspin saw his platoon sergeant lying wounded in an open area. With enemy bullets striking all around him, he ran to the side of his comrade and performed emergency medical treatment that saved the man's life. Just as he finished tending the platoon sergeant's wounds, SPC4 Wilderspin was hit by enemy fire and killed instantly. SPC4 Wildersin's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Medical Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Vernon Charles Wilderspin (ASN: US-54959220), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop B, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Wilderspin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as medical aidman for an armor platoon on a combat mission near Tan Son Nhut Air Base. His unit was moving to engage a combined Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army force which had attacked the air base. It was suddenly subjected to intense automatic weapons and anti-tank rocket fire from the numerically superior enemy. Specialist Wilderspin unhesitantly leaped from his armored personnel carrier to administer first aid to wounded comrades. Exposing himself to a devastating curtain of hostile fire, he gallantly moved throughout the raging battlefield to conduct his lifesaving mission. After aiding many casualties, including his seriously wounded platoon leader, Specialist Wilderspin saw his platoon sergeant lying helplessly wounded in an open area. With a hail of enemy bullets striking all around him, he fearlessly raced to the side of his smitten comrade and performed skillful emergency medical treatment which saved the man's life. Just as he had finished tending the platoon sergeant's wounds, Specialist Wilderspin was hit by the withering hostile fire and instantly killed. Specialist Four Wildersin's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1841 (April 20, 1968)

Honors

The name Vernon C Wilderspin is located on Panel 36E Line 42 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four Vernon Charles Wilderspin is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising, Alger County, MI.

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