Robert Michael Wilde
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 12 May 1942, then-Second Lieutenant Robert Michael Wilde was serving as Pilot of a P-39 Airacobra Fighter Plane in the 35th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group, Far East Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces based at Port Moresby, New Guinea.

On that day, 2LT Wilde’s unit was in aerial combat against Japanese forces in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations when he shot down 2 enemy aircraft. 2LT Wilde’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert Michael Wilde (ASN: 0-427075), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-39 Fighter Airplane in the 35th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 12 May 1942, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. On that date, in aerial combat, Second Lieutenant Wilde shot down TWO enemy aircraft. Second Lieutenant Wilde's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 33 (September 12, 1942)

Burial

Second Lieutenant Robert Michael Wilde is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Honolulu County, HI, in Section B, Site 1113.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113473820/robert-michael-wilde