Hilliard Almond Wilbanks was born at the family home on Maple Street in Cornelia on July 26, 1933, the firstborn son of Travis and Ruby Wilbanks. He had two brothers: Edwin was born in 1935 and Norman in 1937. When he was almost 15 a sister, Patricia, was born.
The family at brother Edwin's wedding in 1955.
First Grade
Seventh Grade
Eleventh Grade
Played football for Coach Gene Alexander at Cornelia High School
1949-50 Cornelia High School Football Team - Hilliard is in back row: 2nd from right
1950 Cornelia High School Graduation Ceremony at the Grand Theater on Main Street - Hilliard is in middle row, 2nd from right
Married Rosemary Arnold in 1956
Hilliard with their oldest son, Tommy
Hilliard with their oldest son Tommy, and oldest daughter Paula
Their last family picture before deployment to Vietnam
Hilliard and Rosemary Wilbanks' four children from left: Tommy, Paula, John, and Debbie
A/2C Wilbanks - 1952
Air Policeman at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona
Airman Cadet 'Willie' Wilbanks - 1954
2nd Lieutenant Wilbanks
Distinguished Graduate
Class of 55-P
First Solo Flight - July 19, 1954 in a Piper Cub - Above is the 2nd plane he learned to fly, a T-6 Trainer - A/C Wilbanks in front seat; his instructor in back.
Hondo Air Base, Hondo, Texas - Squadron # 2 - Fireball -1
L to R: 2nd Lieutenant Sampsel, 2nd Lieutenant Wakefield, 1st Lieutenant Young, 2nd Lieutenant Spencer, and 2nd Lieutenant Wilbanks
Promoted to 1st Lieutenant - Dec 15, 1956
3506th Pilot Training Squadron - Greenville Air Force Base, Mississippi
Hilliard Wilbanks receives his captain bars in 1961 from Major Welborn, chief of maintenance division of the 5010th Maintenance and Supply Group.
Captain Wilbanks at the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Compound at Bao Loc, Republic of Vietnam
Captain Wilbanks while deployed in Vietnam
Captain Westby, Captain Wilbanks, and Airman Lee
O-1E Bird Dog Aircraft
Captain Wilbanks' call sign "Walt 51"
Military Honors included a 21 Gun Salute and Taps
Fayette Methodist Cemetery in Fayette, Mississippi
Copyright 2014 Hilliard A Wilbanks Foundation, Inc.
