Raymond H . Wilkins Raymond Harrell Wilkins ( September 28 , 1917 – November 2 , 1943 ) was a United States Army Air Forces officer and a posthumous recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Biography . Wilkins joined the Army from his birth city of Portsmouth , Virginia in 1936 , and by November 2 , 1943 had risen to the rank of major , command of the 8th Bombardment Squadron of the 3rd Attack Group , and had flown 50 combat missions . On that day , he participated in a bombing raid on enemy ships in a harbor near Rabaul , New Britain , of which was later known as the Battle of the Bismarck Sea . Wilkins repeatedly exposed himself to intense anti - aircraft fire and successfully destroyed two enemy vessels . Despite severe damage to his aircraft , he continued to attack until his plane was shot down into the sea , killing him . For his actions during the mission , he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor four months later , on March 24 , 1944 . Wilkins ' remains were never recovered ; a marker in his memory was placed at Olive Branch Cemetery in his hometown of Portsmouth , Virginia . Medal of Honor citation . Major Wilkins ' official Medal of Honor citation reads : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Rabaul , New Britain , on 2 November 1943 . Leading his squadron in an attack on shipping in Simpson Harbor , during which intense antiaircraft fire was expected , Maj . Wilkins briefed his squadron so that his airplane would be in the position of greatest risk . His squadron was the last of 3 in the group to enter the target area . Smoke from bombs dropped by preceding aircraft necessitated a last - second revision of tactics on his part , which still enabled his squadron to strike vital shipping targets , but forced it to approach through concentrated fire , and increased the danger of Maj . Wilkins ' left flank position . His airplane was hit almost immediately , the right wing damaged , and control rendered extremely difficult . Although he could have withdrawn , he held fast and led his squadron into the attack . He strafed a group of small harbor vessels , and then , at low level , attacked an enemy destroyer . His 1 , 000 pound bomb struck squarely amidships , causing the vessel to explode . Although antiaircraft fire from this vessel had seriously damaged his left vertical stabilizer , he refused to deviate from the course . From below - masthead height he attacked a transport of some 9 , 000 tons , scoring a hit which engulfed the ship in flames . Bombs expended , he began to withdraw his squadron . A heavy cruiser barred the path . Unhesitatingly , to neutralize the cruiser ' s guns and attract its fire , he went in for a strafing run . His damaged stabilizer was completely shot off . To avoid swerving into his wing planes he had to turn so as to expose the belly and full wing surfaces of his plane to the enemy fire ; it caught and crumpled his left wing . Now past control , the bomber crashed into the sea . In the fierce engagement Maj . Wilkins destroyed 2 enemy vessels , and his heroic self - sacrifice made possible the safe withdrawal of the remaining planes of his squadron .