World War II Honoree

Wilson B. 'Bill' Prickett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR. SAILED OVERSEAS AND STAGED IN ENGLAND IN PREPARATION FOR THE INVASION OF EUROPE. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN WHERE HE LED MEN ASHORE AT OMAHA BEACH IN NORMANDY, FRANCE ON JUNE 6, 1944 (D-DAY) UNDER HEAVY ENEMY FIRE. SOME 2000 MEN BECAME CASUALTIES DURING THE LANDINGS AT 'BLOODY OMAHA.' FOR HIS ACTIONS ON D-DAY, HE RECEIVED A BATTLEFIELD PROMOTION. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. SURVIVED THE WAR AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF CAPTAIN AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. CONTINUED IN U.S. ARMY RESERVE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT WITH THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL.