Members of Marine boot camp Platoon 101, Parris Island Mar 65,
honor our fallen platoon brothers
Donald Wilkinson,
Wayne Hamel, and
Drill Instructor S/Sgt R. F. Corns.
May you rest in peace.
Semper fidelis.
Lawrence H. Wells
Platoon 101 PISC Mar 65
Vietnam '65-'66 3d Ser Bn 3d Mar Div
wells2000@alltel.net
Donald served with Third Medical Battalion Oct 66 - Apr 67, and with Headquarters Battery, Third Battalion, Twelfth Marines, Apr 67 - Oct 67, 3rd Marine Division. He was a Radio Repairman/Wireman (and at times a Radioman). Donald died in the crash of an Air Force C-130 aircraft near Phu Bai. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Appd by CNO
16 Mar 1968
Bd Ser 3278
DLA-jaf-mel-rpa
@2132092
The Secretary of the Navy takes pride in presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL posthumously to
SERGEANT DONALD A. WILKINSON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For meritorious achievement while serving as a Wireman with Third Medical Battalion from 8 October 1966 to 19 April 1967, and as a Radio Technician with Headquarters Battery, Third Battalion, Twelth Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), at Camp Evans, Republic of Vietnam, from 20 April to 8 October 1967. Sergeant Wilkinson performed his duties in a highly professional manner and devoted his spare time to cross-training as a field radio operator. His precise and accurate work while relaying fire missions for forward observers from Hill 674 during Operation SHAWNEE was instrumental in providing effective precision firing by the battalion and he was later assigned as Radio Chief for the battalion. While serving in this billet, he installed a power converter measurably reducing the battery consumption of all radios used in the battalion fire direction center. He was also instrumental in installing a method of radio repair of all radio remote lines from the radio central to the fire direction center, in the event they were knocked out by enemy action. Sergeant Wilkinson's effective leadership was instrumental in raising the professional competence of his subordinates. His professional attitude earned him the respect of the officers and the admiration of the enlisted men who worked with him. He met his untimely death when the plane on which he was traveling crashed in the vicinity of Danang on 8 October 1967. Sergeant Wilkinson's superior leadership qualities and professional competence reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
Paul R. Ignatuis
Secretary of the Navy
29 May 1968
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