Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Award of Air Force Cross to Timothy A. Wilkinson
Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
1. Award of Air Force Cross to Timothy A. Wilkinson Marker
The Air Force Cross
to
Timothy A. Wilkinson
Technical Sergeant Timothy A. Wilkinson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a 24th Special Tactics Squadron Pararescueman in the vicinity of the Olympic Hotel, Mogadishu, Somalia, from 3 October 1993 to 4 October 1993. During that period, in response to an incident in which a United States helicopter had been shot down by a rocket propelled grenade, Sergeant Wilkinson conducted a fast rope insertion into the crash site and came under extremely heavy enemy fire from three directions. In the initial rescue effort, he repeatedly exposed himself to intense small arms fire and grenades to clear debris, provide emergency medical treatment to the survivors, and extract dead and wounded members of the crew from the wreckage. On his own initiative, Sergeant Wilkinson broke cover on three separate occasions to locate and provide emergency medical treatment to three Ranger casualties. In doing so, he ignored all concern for his personal safety to cross a 45 meter-wide open area blanketed with intense fire from small arms, and rocket propelled grenades. Sergeant Wilkinson's medical skills and uncommon valor saved the lives of
this page online
Erected 2006 by Maxwell-Gunter 1st Sgt Academy Class 06-A.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list.
Location. 32° 24.263′ N, 86° 14.977′ W. Memorial is in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex, Alabama, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from the intersection of McDonald Street and Avenue D. Located at the USAF Senior NCO Academy at the Gunter Annex and requires base access. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 550 McDonald St, Montgomery AL 36114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Alabama’s Tri-Counties River Region. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. McGrath (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Jon D. Harston (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to John A. Chapman
Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
2. Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques.
Regarding Award of Air Force Cross to Timothy A. Wilkinson. On Oct. 3, 1993, TSgt. Timothy A. Wilkinson, a pararescueman with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, responded as part of a 15-man combat search-and-rescue team to the downing of a US Army MH-60 helicopter in the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia. Wilkinson repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire while extracting five wounded Army Rangers, one by one, who were still on their crashed helicopter, bringing them to the aid point, where he provided medical treatment. As the battle continued, he responded to cries for a medic from across the intersection. He crossed this four-way
Photographed by USAF Photo
3. Timothy A. Wilkinson
Also see . . . AF Magazine article: Heroes at Mogadishu. (Submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
4. Enlisted Air Force Cross Description
The AF Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy, to any person while serving with the U.S. Air Force, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing enemy force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces, engaged in conflict against an opposing force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. It is awarded for heroic actions second in precedence only to the Medal of Honor and is presented in the name of the President. It was established by Congress by Public Law 88-593 on 6 July 1960.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 953 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
