Speaking of Heroes...

Despite the smoke and debris from the explosion and the possibility of enemy soldiers hiding in the tunnel, he then conducted a thorough search which yielded several items of equipment and numerous documents containing valuable intelligence data.  Continuing the assault, he approached a third bunker and was preparing to fire into it when the enemy threw another grenade. Observing the grenade land dangerously close to his companion, First Lieutenant Webb simultaneously fired his weapon at the enemy, pushed the Marine away from the grenade, and shielded him from the explosion with his own body.

Although sustaining painful fragmentation wounds from the explosion, he managed to throw a grenade into the aperture and completely destroy the remaining bunker. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Webb upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Not long after, on April 18, 1953, Wilder's unit was sent up Pork Chop Hill, a key position held by U.S. troops that was being assaulted by communist Chinese forces.

Wilder repeatedly put himself in the line of artillery and mortar fire to pull wounded soldiers to safety, according to the citation for the Bronze Star he was awarded later. He and two other soldiers managed to force the surrender of 19 Chinese soldiers.

It did not matter that some of the soldiers he helped save were black and others white, he said. "You came to understand that the name of the game is survival," Wilder said. "It didn't matter what color the soldier was who had drunk out of your canteen, or eaten with your fork."

Navy Cross and Bronze Star.   Former Governor and future Senator.  Two American heroes.  Two independent thinkers and mavericks.  Neither man an easy fit in the Republican or Democratic parties.  Both proud men, and rightfully so.  Both fiercely independent.  You think there's something in the water here in Virginia that produces guys like these?

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