Lyndol Raye Wilson

Sergeant Lyndol Ray Wilson was born 2 April 1949 and raised in Okemah, OK. He graduated from Okemah High School in 1967, where he played Panther football, basketball, track and participated in FFA. Immediately upon graduation, he and a fellow Okemah graduate, Ronnie Duncan, enlisted in the Marine Corps on 29 May 1967.

After Marine Corps training, Wilson arrived in Vietnam assigned to H Company, 2^nd /5^th Marines as an Anti-Tank Assaultman. On 2 February 1968 as the country-wide North Vietnamese Tet Offensive continued, Wilson’s unit moved to Hue from Phu Bai. On 3 February, Wilson climbed to the rooftop of a University building where he exposed himself to intense enemy fire and he delivered devastating 3.5-inch rocket fire on enemy positions enabling his company to reach its objective. On 4 February as his company attack continued, his squad leader was leading the assault and was critically wounded. Wilson maneuvered to his side and delivered fire from his rifle and pistol allowing other Marines to move the squad leader to safety. Wilson assumed command of the squad and led a determined assault to the objective.

His Silver Star citation reads in part: “By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great danger, Private First Class Wilson was an inspiration to all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps…” He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart Medal.

Wilson returned to Okemah in March 1970 and was initially employed as a police officer, then a Kraft Foods sales representative. He joined Tinker AFB in 1974 as a Jet Engine Engineer, and served on the Okemah School Board 1980-85. He retired from Tinker AFB in 2008 after 34 years of service.

Wilson loved hunting, fishing, motorcycling, golf, and flying his private plane. He also helped coach his sons in the Okemah Little League.

Sergeant Lyndol Ray Wilson died on 8 October 2016 and rests in Highland Cemetery, Okemah.