YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!
On July 7, 1967, he was killed in action while serving as the Patrol Officer on a river patrol boat with River Section 533 in the Mekong Delta region of the Republic of Vietnam. The 28 year old Navyman was awarded the Silver Star and Navy Commendation Medals.
Thank you for giving your all.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
takes pride in presenting the
SILVER STAR MEDAL
posthumously
to
WILBUR LYNN COSSON
Radarman First Class, United States Navy
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 07 July 1967 while serving with River Section 533 in the Republic of Vietnam. When elements of the Ninth Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, launched a search and destroy sweep of the My Long area aimed at driving two Vietcong companies toward the mouth of the Rach Khau Rau, Petty Officer Cosson, as patrol officer aboard River Patrol Boat 152, was assigned to a blocking station on the Co Chien River near the Rach Khau Rau. His mission was to prevent the enemy's successful evasion into the heavy mangroves and bunker complex along the coastline. Drawing an intense barrage of enemy automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire, and partially suppressing that fire, Petty Officer Cosson observed several of the fleeing enemy and quickly pointed them out to his gunners, ordering the gunners to open fire. Two Vietcong were killed. With his supply of ammunition nearly exhausted, Petty Officer Cosson requested that he be rearmed on station, rather than return to the Landing Ship Tank, knowing that leaving his critical station unguarded would give the Vietcong time to escape. While rearming, Petty Officer Cosson noticed four sampans moving near the canal at a range at which they could succeed in crossing into the bunker area. Because his cover boat, PBR 160, had not expended as much ammunition as PBR 152, he jumped aboard the cover boat and proceeded toward the beach. Petty Officer Cosson ordered his boat close to the mouth of the canal, and destroyed two of the sampans. Moving into position to destroy the other two, he was mortally wounded when the east bank erupted in heavy enemy fire. By his daring actions and inspiring leadership, Petty Officer Cosson upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
FOR THE PRESIDENT
PAUL R. IGNATIUS
Secretary of the Navy
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