Class of 1943
3rd Battalion, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, USAFE
While leading a combat patrol toward enemy territory at midnight, Lt Wilkens encountered a hostile mine field and ordered his men to retrace their steps. When an alternate route was found, he instructed the members of the patrol to remain behind while he moved forward alone to reconnoiter. In so doing he was killed by the detonation of a mine, thus saving the lives of his comrades.