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Vietnam War ➔ Marksmanship Badge
Identifier:
2024.44.8Description:
This Marksmanship badge is a sharpshooter rifle badge and was posthumously awarded to Specialist Five Douglas Wilkie who served in the 24th Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, D Company in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. On August 17th, 1969 in South Vietnam, Wilkie was killed during a hostile assault after risking his safety to administer first aid to other injured soldiers. He was fatally wounded by shrapnel while shielding a fallen comrade from an exploding projectile.The Marksmanship badge was awarded to individuals in the United States Army that qualified at either expert, sharpshooter, or marksman in a specific weapon. Those weapons include rifle, pistol, aa artillery, auto rifle, machinegun, field artillery, tank weapons, flamethrower, submachine gun, rocket launcher, grenade, carbine, recoilless rifle, mortar, bayonet, small-bore rifle, small-bore pistol, missile, and aero weapons.
Date:
1969Materials:
MetalDimensions:
1.75"" h 1"" wCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift of Dee TokarskiRelated Entities:
Dee Tokarski (donor) Douglas Wilkie (is related to)Douglas Wilkie was born in Lansing, Michigan on February 13th, 1948. After graduating from Sexton High School in 1966, he joined the United States Army and served as a medic in the 24th Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, D Company during the Vietnam War. On August 17th, 1969 in South Vietnam, Wilkie was killed during a hostile assault after risking his safety to administer first aid to other injured soldiers. He was fatally wounded by shrapnel while shielding a fallen comrade from an exploding projectile.