World War II Honoree

William Robert Wilson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Butler, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Elva Wilson

Relationship

Wife

HE ENLISTED 8 MONTHS BEFORE THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR AND WAS ALREADY AT SEA ON HIS FIRST SHIP, USS LARAMIE AO-16, WHEN THE U.S. ENTERED THE WAR. THE SHIP WAS OPERATING OFF THE EAST COAST TRANSPORTING FUEL OIL AND GASOLINE TO THE ARMY BASES IN GREENLAND. ON AUGUST 27, 1942 THE USS LARAMIE WAS STEAMING IN CONVOY FULLY LOADED WITH OIL AND AVIATION GASOLINE HEADING FOR GREENLAND. IN THE BELLE ISLE STRAITS BETWEEN LABRADOR AND NEWFOUNDLAND, THE SHIP WAS TORPEDOED BY A GERMAN SUBMARINE. IT INCURRED MAJOR DAMAGE ON THE PORT SIDE FORWARD. THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW, THE SHIP WAS SAVED WITH NO FURTHER LOSS OF LIFE. HE REMAINED IN THE NAVY FOR 30 YEARS, DURING WHICH TIME HE SERVED ON USS WASHINGTON BB-56, USS ALLAGASH AO-97, LST 1032, USS TACONIC AGC-17, USS ARNEB AKA-56, AND USS NORTHAMPTON CA-26. HIS FINAL DUTY STATION WAS AT THE NAVAL COMMUNICATION STATION IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA WHERE HE RETIRED JUNE 1972 AS A LIEUTENANT COMMANDER. DECORATIONS INCLUDE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL AND THE ANTARCTICA SERVICE MEDAL.