PVT Charles Russell Wilson was born in Brushton, Pennsylvania on 23 Jan 1925. Called Russell to distinguish him from his father, he was the youngest of the 3 children born to Charles Reuben and Dillie Marie (Cessna) Wilson. His father supported his family by working several jobs including as a truck driver and dye maker for Westinghouse at which job he reported a 1939 income of $725. Russell was never able to attend high school.
Russell was drafted in May 1943. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England in November 1943 and was then assigned to E Company 116th Infantry. He then took part in the final training and preparation for the amphibious assault that was planned as a part of the effort to liberate Europe from Nazi domination. PVT Wilson landed with E Company on 6 Jun 1944 and fought with the unit until killed in action on 13 Jun 1944.
PVT Wilson is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.
Russell's older brother, James Edward Wilson, also served in the U.S. Army in WW2. Great-grandfather, John R. Hughes Wilson, served as a PVT in A Company 140th Pennsylvania Infantry (USA) in the Civil War.
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