World War II Honoree

John O. Wilson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cambria County, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: TECHNICIAN 4TH CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY OCTOBER 10, 1942 AT ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA. SERVED IN EUROPE WITH THE 116TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 29TH INFANTRY ‘BLUE AND GRAY’ DIVISION ATTACHED TO THE U.S. 1ST ARMY. HIS DIVISION WAS A UNIT OF THE VAST ARMADA THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944, OPERATION OVERLORD. HE WENT ASHORE ON OMAHA BEACH, BATTLE OF NORMANDY WITH THE 1ST WAVE OF TROOPS AT 0630 HOURS. KILLED IN ACTION MONDAY JULY 17, 1944 IN THE BATTLE OF ST. LO, FRANCE AND HE IS BURIED IN THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES ON OMAHA BEACH.