World War II Honoree

Francis Brooks Wilson

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Napa, California

Honored By

Bruce Wilson

Relationship

Son

ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 27, 1942 A GERMAN SUBMARINE PACK ATTACHED AND SANK HIS SHIP, THE GURNY E. NEWLAND. THE CONVOY HAD 100 SHIPS AND 7 WERE SUNK THAT NIGHT. HE WAS THE 1ST OFFICER AND HE MANNED THE LIFE BOAT ON ONE SIDE OF THE NEWLAND AND THE CAPTAIN MANNED THE OTHER SIDE. THE CAPTAIN AND HIS LIFE BOAT SURVIVED AND WERE PICKED UP BY A CORVET. HIS LIFE BOAT AND CREW DID NOT SURVIVE THE ATTACK. HE WAS 39 YEARS OLD. TO THIS DAY HE IS OFFICIALLY MISSING IN ACTION.