His next fitness report proved no better. His OER for the period of Feb. 1, 1969 through July 31, 1969 described Wilks as, “solid, but undistinguished.” This, very clearly, is different from his past performance evaluations. Despite these unfavorable reports, Wilks continued to excel and, on the night of October 8, 1969, launched a search and rescue mission to assist a disoriented student pilot flying from Providence, Rhode Island, to Taunton, Massachusetts. Wilks located the lost aircraft over the Atlantic with fuel running low and guided the student pilot to land safely on shore. On February 19, 1970, Wilks was awarded the Federal Aviation Association’s “We Protect with Pride” plaque for the rescue. Interestingly, Wilks third and final fitness report at Salem was drastically different than the first two, describing him as, “a very fine flight safety officer. His written reports have continued to be very excellent and his obvious sincerety [sic] in the program further enhance his performance. It is always a pleasure to see someone develop to a level that is commensurate with his potential, and in this officer, I have seen just that. All in all, an excellent officer, one of the best of his rank presently attached.” Several years later, Wilks spoke about these unfavorable reports with a young Petty Officer 2nd Class Vincent W. Patton, who later became the first African American Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. “Capt. Wilks mentioned how, at times, he was referred to by his color during his evaluations. It wasn’t meant to be positive, at least that’s how he put it to me.” Patton added that Wilks told him how “he had to deal with a CO, and XO that weren’t very happy with his somewhat ‘celebrity status’ as being the senior most African American officer at the time. However, Wilks brushed off the comments/complaints, and saw it as an opportunity to helping others.” In 1970, Wilks reported to Air Station Barber’s Point, Hawaii, to serve as aviator and chief of operations. On the night of December 9, 1971, the master of a Soviet vessel, located some 116 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, suffered a heart attack. In gale force conditions, Wilks launched his HH-52A for a medical evacuation. He departed Barber’s Point, encountering strong and steady headwinds enroute to Hilo for refueling. His attempt to rendezvous with the ship was aborted when the Soviet vessel could not be located. While returning to Hilo, Wilks was made aware that the ship was actually 40 miles beyond the operating range of the aircraft. Despite the dangerous weather conditions, a second attempt was made. The vessel was located, pitching 30 to 40 feet vertically, and rolling heavily. Battling heavy salt spray and a language barrier, Wilks persevered, successfully hoisting the stricken mariner. He was later awarded the Air Medal for the mission. Wilks was also twice recognized with the Sikorsky Winged “S” Award, awarded for noteworthy rescues with a helicopter. From 1975 through 1977, Cmdr. Wilks served as the executive officer of Base Governor’s Island, New York. He once confided to a friend that he felt his assignment to the facility was part of an effort to curb racial tensions on the island. That is supported in a report written by Capt. C.J. Glass, who said that he “had the benefit of his [Wilks] views on racial issues on Governor’s Island and in the Coast Guard in general.” Glass believed that while Wilks would be an excellent choice for an air station commander, he felt that his unique experiences would be of great value in other capacities and recommended that he had excellent potential as a group commander. In August 1975, Wilks assumed the role of Chief, Search and Rescue Branch, Coast Guard District Three. Glass later wrote that Wilks was “presently the senior minority black member of the Coast Guard. In this capacity, I think the Coast Guard could not hope for a better model of success…. He has justifiable pride in his accomplishments and a firm conviction that success comes to those who work for it.” Master Chief Patton recalled meeting Wilks for the first An official Coast Guard photograph of Lt. Bobby Wilks early in his Coast Guard aviation career. Photos courtesy Coast Guard Historian WINTER 2024 — 29
