Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his widow) from Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown at the Pentagon on January 24, 1968, for his actions as a captain with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, US Air Force, on February 24, 1967, near Da Lat, South Vietnam. He joined the US Air Force in August 1950 and served as a security policeman with the Strategic Air Command for four years. He was then accepted into the aviation cadet program and graduated with a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in June 1955. After serving as an instructor for a few years, he qualified as a fighter pilot in the early 1960s. In April 1966 he was sent to South Vietnam as a forward air controller. On February 24, 1967, he was in the air with his Cessna O1-E Bird Dog aircraft above the Central Highlands, when he discovered hostile Viet Cong units concealed on two hilltops. Army Rangers troops were on foot, making their way through a tea plantation that gave them little or no cover. Realizing they were walking into a trap, and without air support or communications capability with the ground troops, he managed to distracted the Viet Cong away from them and ultimately sacrificed his life on their behalf. At the time of his death, he had flown 487 combat missions during his tour. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As a forward air controller Capt. Wilbanks was pilot of an unarmed, light aircraft flying visual reconnaissance ahead of a South Vietnam Army Ranger Battalion. His intensive search revealed a well-concealed and numerically superior hostile force poised to ambush the advancing Rangers. The Viet Cong, realizing that Capt. Wilbanks' discovery had compromised their position and ability to launch a surprise attack, immediately fired on the small aircraft with all available firepower. The enemy then began advancing against the exposed forward elements of the ranger force which were pinned down by devastating fire. Capt. Wilbanks recognized that close support aircraft could not arrive in time to enable the rangers to withstand the advancing enemy onslaught. With full knowledge of the limitations of his unarmed, unarmored light reconnaissance aircraft, and the great danger imposed by the enemy's vast firepower, he unhesitatingly assumed a covering, close support role. Flying through a hail of withering fire at treetop level, Capt. Wilbanks passed directly over the advancing enemy and inflicted many casualties by firing his rifle out of the side window of his aircraft. Despite increasingly intense antiaircraft fire, Capt. Wilbanks continued to completely disregard his own safety and made repeated low passes over the enemy to divert their fire away from the rangers. His daring tactics successfully interrupted the enemy advance, allowing the rangers to withdraw to safety from their perilous position. During his final courageous attack to protect the withdrawing forces, Capt. Wilbanks was mortally wounded and his bullet-riddled aircraft crashed between the opposing forces. Capt. Wilbanks' magnificent action saved numerous friendly personnel from certain injury or death. His unparalleled concern for his fellow man and his extraordinary heroism were in the highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force."