World War II Honoree

Charles E. Wilson, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Farina, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MARCH 4, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED AS A RIFLEMAN, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 745. ASSIGNED TO COMPANY E, 114TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 44TH INFANTRY DIVISION WHICH DEPARTED THE U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1944 BOUND FOR FRANCE VIA CHERBOURG. AFTER A MONTH OF TRAINING, ENTERED COMBAT ON OCTOBER 18, 1944 IN VICINITY OF FORET DE PARROY AND FOUGHT THROUGH THE NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS SERVING AS A MESSENGER. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON NOVEMBER 20, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, ARKANSAS.