World War II Honoree

William E. Wilson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Honored By

Henry Pannunzio, Jr.

Relationship

Son-in-law

BILL SERVED AS A MEDIC IN THE 34TH DIVISION, 133RD AND 168TH INFANTRY REGIMENTS. BILL LEFT THE U.S. ON APRIL 30, 1942 FROM NEW YORK ABOARD THE AQUITANIA BOUND FOR THE BRITISH ISLES. UPON ARRIVING ON MAY 13, 1942, BILL BOARDED A SMALLER SHIP FOR BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND. THERE HE TRAINED FOR 6 MONTHS FOR THE INVASION OF NORTH AFRICA. THE INVASION BEGAN EARLY IN NOVEMBER 1942. ON NOVEMBER 8, 1942, BILL WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION IN ALGERIA, NORTH AFRICA FROM HEAVY MACHINE GUN FIRE FROM A GERMAN ARMORED VEHICLE. AFTER RECUPERATING FROM HIS INJURIES, HE REJOINED THE 168TH INFANTRY REGIMENT IN THE INVASION OF ITALY. BILL STAYED IN EUROPE IN COMBAT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WAR. HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, MEDICAL BADGE, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH 3 BATTLE STARS. BILL WAS DISCHARGED ON MAY 17, 1946. HIS TOTAL FOREIGN SERVICE TIME WAS 3 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AND 2 DAYS.