Houser C. Wilson

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Houser C. Wilson, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as Pilot, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, on 11 July 1952. On that date, Major Wilson volunteered to fly an unarmed RF-80 aircraft on a low-level mission at Pyongyang, North Korea, which at the time was under aerial bombardment by United Nations Air Forces. Immediately after take-off, Major Wilson’s aircraft began to vibrate, the engine developing only ninety percent power. As time element preventing a replacement aircraft to cover the strike, Major Wilson elected to complete the mission, despite reduced power. Arriving at the heavily defended target, Major Wilson made four minimum altitude runs on his assigned targets, withdrew for thirty-five minutes, then returned to make four additional passes. On all passes, Major Wilson was subjected to intense ground fire and secondary explosions. Through his high personal courage and exemplary devotion to duty, Major Wilson reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.