Major Raymond H. Wilkins
3rd Bomb Group, 8th Bomb Squadron MIA pilot B-25D "Fifi" 41-30311

Background
Raymond Harrell Wilkins was born September 28, 1917 to parents William Samuel Wilkins and Florida Alverta Harrell Wilkins in Portsmouth, Virginia. Nicknamed "Ray". Wilkins enlisted in the U.S. Army during July 1936. Next, assigned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as an aviation cadet who earned his wings and completed advanced flight training at Stockton Field in California class 41-H commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Embarked on a transport at San Francisco that joined the "Pensacola Convoy" bound for the Philippines but after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor diverted to Brisbane.

Wartime History
In Australia, assigned to the 27th Bomb Group (27th BG), 16th Bombardment Squadron (16th BS). In late December 1942 learned to fly the A-24 Dive Bomber at Amberly Field instructed by 1st Lt. Herman F. Lowery. During March 1942 at Batchelor Field near Darwin he directed three enlisted mechanics to swap engines to repair A-24 Dive Bomber 41-15783.

On March 30, 1942 assigned to the 8th Bombardment Squadron (8th BS), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 5th Air Force (5th AF). On March 31, 1942 at 4:00pm ferried an A-24 Dive Bomber from Charters Towers Airfield via Cooktown to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby in New Guinea.

On April 7, 1942 took off piloting an A-24 as one of six on a dive bombing mission against Lae escorted by six P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Squadron. Inbound, two A-24s abort due to mechanical issues. Over the target, the formation dive bombs Lae Airfield.

On April 13, 1942 took off piloting an A-24 on a dive bombing mission over Lae Airfield and dive bombed parked bombers.

On July 29, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted an A-24 Dive Bomber as one of eight A-24s on a mission to dive bomb Japanese ships off Gona. The formation was escorted by P-39 Airacobras from the 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) flying top cover plus P-39 Airacobras from the 80th Fighter Squadron (80th FS) flying close escort. Inbound to the target, one A-24 aborted the mission leaving seven A-24s to bomb Japanese transports 20 miles north of Gona, roughly 1 1/4 miles form shore. The convoy was protected by A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai which intercepted the A-24s flying in two waves as they started their dives. The first wave of three was led by A-24 41-15797 pilot Major Floyd W. Rogers, A-24 pilot Hill (heavily damaged and force landed at Fall River) and A-24 pilot Raymond Wilkins were the only aircraft to return to 7 Mile Drome. The second wave of four were all shot down.

On September 14, 1943 became the Commanding Officer (C.O.) of the 8th Bombardment Squadron (8th BS).

Mission History
On November 2, 1943 took off piloting B-25D "Fifi" 41-30311 on a low level strike against shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. Over the target, this B-25 bombed a destroyer and reportedly scored a direct hit. Then, bombed and strafed a Japanese merchant vessel. Wilkins flew in the path of a Japanese cruiser and made a strafing run against it, to distracted the anti-aircraft gunners aboard. Hit by its intense anti-aircraft fire, the stabilizer and left wing outer wing were shot off, causing it to crash upside down into Simpson Harbor to the south of Lakunai Airfield and west of Matupi Island. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Medal of Honor
For his actions on November 2, 1943 Wilkins earned the Medal of Honor posthumously. He also earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Medal of Honor (November 2, 1943) posthumously Citation: "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 three 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 cruisers 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 two enemy vessels, and his heroic self-sacrifice made possible the safe withdrawal of the remaining planes of his squadron."

Relatives
Kathleen Wilkins (niece of Raymond Wilkins)

References
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Raymond H. Wilkins
FindAGrave - Raymond H. Wilkins (tablets of the missing, photo)
FindAGrave - Capt Raymond Harrell Wilkins (memorial marker)
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Raymond Harrell Wilkins
Harvest of the Grim Reapers The Illustrated History of the 3rd and 27th Bomb Groups During World War II Volume I: Prewar to December 1942 (2021) pages 46 (Stockton Field), 69 (A-24 flight training), 112 (A-24 repair), 122 (8th BS assignment), 122-126 (ferry flight to 7 Mile), 127 (photos), 129-132 (April 7, 1942), 138 (April 13, 1942), 142 (photo upper), 200, 262, 283, 262, 293, 309, 311, 312, 315, 320, 345, 409, 442 (8th BS C.O.), 454, 456, 458, 467, 476, 528 (index Wilkins)
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