WILSON, TSgt. Darrell E., WWII

WILSON, KLATT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/11/2013 at 23:18:43

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, March 01, 1945, Page 4

RICHOCHETS

Activities of Company E, 2nd Regiment
Iowa State Guard in Mason City

. . . Sgt. Darrell E. WILSON, former 1st lieutenant of E Company, reports from overseas that he has recovered from wound received a few weeks ago and is back to duty with his company. Sgt. WILSON says he was hit because he zigged when he should have zagged. . . .

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
April 19, 1945, Page 4

SGT. DARRELL E. WILSON DIED of WOUNDS RECEIVED in GERMANY

Had Been Overseas Since November; Wounded April 1

T/Sgt. Darrell E. WILSON, whose wife and 3 children live at 937 9th N. E., died on April 4 of wounds received in combat in Germany on April 1, according to a message received from the war department.

T/Sgt. WILSON left Mason City with the national guard in 1941 and was discharged in August of that year. He re-entered the army in March of last year and went overseas in November. On the first day of combat, Nov. 28, he had been slightly wounded, but had recovered and joined his outfit at the front.

Darrell was born in Alberta, Canada, on Nov. 18, 1914. Besides his wife and 3 children, Walter, Connie and Bobbie, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vern WILSON, 502 Tyler N. W., and a brother, Roy WILSON, also of Mason City.

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The Globe Gazette

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
June 29, 1945, Page 8

SGT. WILSON MEMORIAL SERVICE SUNDAY at WESLEY METHODIST

At 2:30 p. m. With Doctor Paul Peterson, Pastor, Officiating

Memorial service for T/Sgt. Darrell E. WILSON, whose wife, Mrs. Dorothy WILSON, lives at 937 9th N. E., will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Wesley Methodist church with Doctor Paul A. PETERSON, pastor of the church, officiating.

Sgt. WILSON was born in Canada on Nov. 18, 1914. He moved with his parents to Mason City at the age of 12 and resided here until he entered the service in 1941. He was married to Dorothy KLATT at Sioux Falls, S. Dak., on Feb. 6, 1939.

He was a member of the national guard at Mason City for several years. At the time he entered the service he was employed by the Heimendinger Transfer Line.

In 1941 he left with the national guard for Camp Claiborne, La., and was given a medical discharge in August of the same year. He re-entered the army in March, 1944, going to Camp Hood, Tex., for training. From there he was sent to Fort George Meade, Md.

Sgt. WILSON left the states in Oct., 1944, and landed in England. A short time later he was sent to France with Patch's 7th army. On his first day of combat duty he was slightly wounded but recovered and joined his outfit at the front. He was awarded the purple heart posthumously, the decoration being received here by his wife.

He was then sent to Germany and on Easter Sunday, April 1, was seriously wounded by a sniper's bullet as he was leading his platoon into combat on the enemy barracks at Schweinhelm, Germany. He died on April 4. Burial was in an American cemetery at Benshein, Germany.

Besides his wife, he leaves their 3 small children, Walter, Connie and Bobby; also his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vern WILSON, 502 Tyler N. W., and a brother, Ray, at 622 Delaware S. E.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
July 02, 1945, Page 11

Memorial for Sgt. Wilson Held Sunday

With the chancel of Wesley Methodist church bedecked with flowers, memorial services were held Sunday for Sgt. Darrell WILSON with his framed picture centering the floral display.

Obsequial music was played by Mrs. Carl H. CARLSON at the organ and Mrs. Lois H. PETERSON sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Someday," favorite songs of the deceased.

Dr. Paul Arnold PETERSON, who conducted the service, said in part: "Darrell is but a symbol of other boys who have given their lives and other boys on the front lines who are willing to lay down their lives if need be . . .

"He made no profession of being a hero; in fact, in a letter which he dictated to a Canadian nurse when he was wounded the first time, he said: 'We are not heroes - none of us are. If we do something that turns out that way it's to save our own neck or one of our buddies.'

"As we endeavor to evaluate his life and the sacrifice he made, all this can best be summarized in a letter from Capt. Alton M. Moore, personnel officer of the 157th infantry: 'He died that those back home might have a better and safer world in which to live.'"

A poem, "From Sunny France," written by Darrell's aunt, as if written by the deceased, was quoted in conclusion.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2013

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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