Captain Leo C. Wilder was born January 17, 1895, in Wilmington, Vermont. He attended the University of Vermont through his sophomore year studying civil engineering. He was appointed as a Deck Officer on November 26, 1915. Captain Wilder was one of the original U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey officers. He was appointed an Aid on June 30, 1917.

During World War I, Captain Wilder was transferred to the U.S. Navy and served on several ships in both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean areas. He was awarded the Victory Medal during World War I.

Captain Wilder returned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey on February 26 1918, serving as Junior Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineer until he resigned on November 6, 1919. He was reappointed as an aid on July 23, 1921, and served until he retired on December 1, 1949. During his career his assignments included being assigned aboard Ships: HYDROGRAPHER, EXPLORER as Executive Officer, PATTERSON, SURVEYOR as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, DERICKSON and the WESTDAHL as Commanding Officer. Captain Wilder was licensed as Unlimited Master, Any Ocean. Captain Wilder's other assignments included triangulation, Coast Pilot, Field Parties, and Instructor for the U.S. Army Engineers.

During World War II, Captain Wilder was transferred to the jurisdiction of the War Department to serve with the U.S. Army. He served under the Engineering Amphibian Command and was awarded the Defense Service Ribbon, the Pacific War Zone Ribbon and the Meritorious Service Ribbon.

He is survived by one son and two daughters.

---

NOAA CORPS BULLETIN, 2/1/1986