D.W. Wilson, Jr.
Daniel Webster Wilson, Jr.
US Army
S/Sgt
180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
Born April 20, 1915 to Daniel Webster, Sr and Jessie Jenkins Wilson. Wife was Margaret E. Clough Wilson
Died March 26, 1945
Wilson enlisted in the Army on June 3, 1943 in Philadelphia, PA and following training was assigned to the 180th Infantry Regiment. The period from January 1944 until June 1944 was known in the 180th Regiment as a time of "Blood and Guts" They endured long weary months of incessant shelling, living in foxholes with the express purpose of liberating Rome which was successful.
In August 1944 the 180th landed near St. Maxime, France and launched an attack on "fortress Europa" through the wooded Vosges Mountains meeting fanatical enemy resistance. By December 1944 they had crossed into Germany marching and fighting in snow and sub-zero temps, but the Germans were pushed back.
Twice they completed 86 consecutive days of combat during these offensives.
By March 1945 the 180th launched an attack meeting heavy machine gun and mortar fire, but they battered their way through to the outer defense of the Siegfied Line and taking advantage of the confusion midst the Germans they took Hamburg only stopping when they reached the Rhine River.
After 3 days of regrouping and general reconnaissance concerning where the crossing was to be made, the Regiment forced a crossing of the Rhine River on the morning of March 26, 1945. By nightfall, the beachhead acoss the Rhine River was secure but lives were lost in the effort. S/Sgt Wilson drowned in the Rhine on that day.
Wilson received the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster and is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France.
US Army
S/Sgt
180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
Born April 20, 1915 to Daniel Webster, Sr and Jessie Jenkins Wilson. Wife was Margaret E. Clough Wilson
Died March 26, 1945
Wilson enlisted in the Army on June 3, 1943 in Philadelphia, PA and following training was assigned to the 180th Infantry Regiment. The period from January 1944 until June 1944 was known in the 180th Regiment as a time of "Blood and Guts" They endured long weary months of incessant shelling, living in foxholes with the express purpose of liberating Rome which was successful.
In August 1944 the 180th landed near St. Maxime, France and launched an attack on "fortress Europa" through the wooded Vosges Mountains meeting fanatical enemy resistance. By December 1944 they had crossed into Germany marching and fighting in snow and sub-zero temps, but the Germans were pushed back.
Twice they completed 86 consecutive days of combat during these offensives.
By March 1945 the 180th launched an attack meeting heavy machine gun and mortar fire, but they battered their way through to the outer defense of the Siegfied Line and taking advantage of the confusion midst the Germans they took Hamburg only stopping when they reached the Rhine River.
After 3 days of regrouping and general reconnaissance concerning where the crossing was to be made, the Regiment forced a crossing of the Rhine River on the morning of March 26, 1945. By nightfall, the beachhead acoss the Rhine River was secure but lives were lost in the effort. S/Sgt Wilson drowned in the Rhine on that day.
Wilson received the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster and is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France.