World War II Honoree

Emmett C. Wilson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bynum, Alabama

Honored By

Dale J. Wilson

Relationship

Son

ENTERED ON JANUARY 5, 1943. SERVED IN THE 630TH TANK DESTROYER BATTALION FOR 3 YEARS. LANDED ON OMAHA BEACH AFTER TIME IN UNITED KINGDOM. HE WAS ATTACHED TO 28TH INFANTRY DIVISION AT BATTLE AT ST. LO AND REMAINED SO EXCEPT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, WHEN HE WAS BRIEFLY ATTACHED TO 17TH AIRBORNE DIVISION, 28TH DIVISION. INVOLVED IN ATTEMPT TO TAKE GERMAN TOWN OF SCHMIDT WHERE THE BATTALION SUFFERED 80% CASUALTIES. HE WAS PULLED BACK TO RETRAIN AND GET REPLACEMENTS. AT THIS POINT BATTLE OF BULGE ENSUED, WITH THE 630TH TANK DESTROYERS BATTALION OVERRUN AND VIRTUALLY WIPED OUT AS A COMBAT UNIT. DURING THIS BATTLE, HE WAS TRAPPED BEHIND ENEMY LINES FOR 3 DAYS AND NIGHTS. PARTICIPATED IN NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, CENTRAL EUROPE, ARDENNES, AND RHINELAND. AWARDED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER STAR, AMERICAN SERVICE MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.