World War II Honoree

Joseph W. Wilson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1943 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (745) AND LATER AS MACHINE GUN NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (604). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON MARCH 12, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND FOUGHT WITH COMPANY H, 141ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 36TH ‘TEXAS’ INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION ON AUGUST 24, 1945 IN VICINITY OF CREST, FRANCE. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND BRONZE ARROWHEAD (ASSAULT LANDING) AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON NOVEMBER 1, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.