Sylvester William Wilson was born on January 9, 1932. His home of record is Jersey City, NJ. Wilson attended Public Schools 11 and 31. He graduated from Vocational High School in Jersey City.
On his 17th birthday, Wilson enlisted in the US Army while living in Jersey City, NJ.
While in the US Army, Sylvester served in the Korean War and was stationed in West Berlin, Germany prior to his Vietnam assignment. He served in Company D, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry where he attained the rank of First Sergeant (FSGT).
On November 24, 1967, Sylvester was killed in action, as a result of a gunshot wound received while administering first aid to a fellow soldier, while his unit was in a firefight with the enemy in the Bing Long Providence of South Vietnam. He was awarded a Silver Star.
Wilson left behind his wife, mother, stepfather and five sisters.
Wilson’s Silver Star citation reads:
For gallantry in action against a hostile force: On this date, First Sergeant Wilson’s company was on a search and destroy mission in An Loc district. The lead platoon was nearing a village when they were subjected to intensive rocket, small arms, and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. The platoon leader was in front with a small lead element, and the main body of the platoon was momentarily without a leader. First Sergeant Wilson unhesitatingly moved into the midst of the battle area and began deploying the men into a defensive perimeter. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he moved from position to position directing his men’s fire and shouting words of encouragement to them. Although continuously exposed to relentless enemy fire, he took a forward position and placed devastating fire onto the advancing insurgents. A medical aid man moved into the Viet Cong kill zone to aid a fallen comrade, and he too was wounded. Unhesitatingly, First Sergeant Wilson crawled through the vicious crossfire to reach the two soldiers. He administered first aid to the casualties and was moving them toward cover when he was hit by enemy fire. Ignoring his pain, he then provided suppressive covering fire, which enabled medical aid men to reach his position and evacuate both himself and his comrades. First Sergeant Wilson’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Information provided by Anita Laico (sister) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
