T4 Wilford John Wilson (1917-1944)

STOVER, WILSON

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

October 20, 1917 --- October 7, 1944

Services Tuesday For T4 Wilford J. Wilson

Word was received late Wednesday that the body of T4 Wilford J. Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. K. J. Wilson, will arrive in Eagle Grove on Monday morning.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 In the Wilson Funeral Chapel. The Reverend Walter Ross will be in charge of the service. Military honors will be in charge of the Clarence Shurtz post of the American Legion.

Wilson's body will be the first of the Eagle Grove boys to be returned home for burial. He was interred in the Henri-Chapelle cemetery in Belgium. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Knute J. Wilson live a t 520 East Fifth street south.

The bodies of Sergeant Virgil L. Gray and Private Harris B. Damon were interred in the same Belgium cemetery and were returned to the states on the same boat with Wilson but no word has been received as to their arrival in Eagle Grove.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
December 11, 1947

Memorial services were held in the Wilson Chapel Tuesday afternoon for Wilford J. Wilson. T4 Wilson was the first of the Eagle Grove world war two dead to be returned to his home for burial. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. K. J. Wilson of this city.

Services were in charge of Rev. Walter Ross with military honors given by the Clarence Shurtz post of the American Legion. Technical Sergeant Frank R. Diederling was the military escort who accompanied the body to Eagle Grove and presented the parents with the military honors.

Those from out of town who attended the memorial services for T4 Wilford Wilson were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Guhl, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Albert Guhl, Jr., Miss Lillian Guhl, Jewell, Mrs. Chris Thorsbakken, Lawrence Isvick, Williams; Thos. Wilson and family, Vincent; Albert Dingman, Webster City, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hove, Glenville, Minn.; Mrs. Richard Stover, Kansas City, Mo.

Wilford John Wilson was born in Vincent, Iowa. October 20, 1917, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Knute J. Wilson. He moved with his parents to Webster City and later to Fort Dodge where he attended the Congregational church and Sunday School. He attended the public schools of Webster City and Fort Dodge. He entered the Coyne electrical school in 1940, and in 1941 he came home and enlisted in the U.S. army He was inducted at Camp Dodge, took his training in Texas and Louisiana. In 1943 he went overseas and was in almost continuous action up to the time he was killed by enemy fire.

As reported to the family by Captain Ben L. Rose, chaplain; on the afternoon of October 7, 1944, Troop C of the 115th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron was holding a defensive position near a little town, Truddern, Germany, just over the border from Holland. At three o’clock the Germans began to shell the town with artillery. Other members of the troop were able to seek shelter, but because it was necessary to keep radio communication open, Sargeant Wilson realizing the danger of his position, remained in his armoured car, operating his radio. He was killed instantly when a German shell made a direct hit on his car.

Military citations awarded to Sargeant Wilson were the Oak Cluster to the Bronze Star. He was also awarded posthumously the Purple Heart and citation.

He is survived by his parents in Eagle Grove, a sister, Mrs. Richard Stover of Kansas City, Missouri, and a brother Virgil Wilson of Glendale, California, and two nieces of Glendale, besides other relatives and friends.

Wilford was dependable and a highly respected young man by all who knew him.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
December 18, 1947