World War II Honoree

John Wesley 'Johnny' Wilkinson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

WORKED AT AN AIRPLANE PLANT IN CALIFORNIA BEFORE ENTERING MILITARY SERVICE. ON AUGUST 17, 1943, HE RECEIVED HIS DRAFT NOTICE. DEPLOYED OVERSEAS TO LONDON, ENGLAND AND SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER. HE WENT INTO TRAINING AT A WELDING SCHOOL IN WIMBLEDON AND THEN WAS ASSIGNED TO ARMY FORCES FOR OPERATIONS IN EUROPE. PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1945 AFTER GERMANY UNCONDITIONALLY SURRENDERED AND THE ALLIED VICTORY IN EUROPE (V-E DAY) WAS ANNOUNCED ON MAY 8, 1945. REMAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER IN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK WHERE HE WORKED PROCESSING RETURNING SERVICE PERSONNEL UNTIL HIS DISCHARGE. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.