Date of Birth: 05/03/1948
Neighborhood: North Philadelphia
High School: Murrell Dobbins Vocational High School
Street: W. Dauphin Street
Branch of Service: Army
Rank: PFC
Date of Casualty: 08/24/1968
Province of Casualty: Tay Ninh
Philadelphia Memorial Panel: Panel 31
Panel Row: 12
Click on the memorial panel below for a printable photo of the serviceman on this page.
Wailer was an expert fencer who won many medals for Dobbins Vocational High School before he graduated in 1969. He went to work at the old Philco-Ford television assembly factory at C and Tioga streets before being drafted into the Army in January 1968. Wailer never complained about his tough duty in Vietnam, family members said, because he didn't want to worry them. The 20-year-old private first class was assigned to Company B of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Among the many combat decorations Wailer received before his death on Aug. 24, 1968, was the Silver Star. He was survived by his parents, a brother and two sisters.