PVT Carl Franklin Wilson

courtesy of Michael Beach

PVT Carl Franklin Wilson was born 27 Dec 1923 in Harrison, Arkansas. He was the 6th of the 8 children born to James Benjamin and Nina (Howerton) Wilson. His father farmed to support his family first in Arkansas, then near Dane, Oklahoma and then Cantonment, Oklahoma. The family's youngest child died in August 1931 when he was only 2-months old. Carl was able to attend high school but left after his 2nd year and farmed with his father.

Carl was not drafted until April 1944. After completing his basic military training which began at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he was sent to the European theater. PVT Wilson was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. The unit was already in Germany at that time. He then fought as a rifleman with the unit until he was killed in action on 27 Nov 1944. 

PVT Wilson rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery. 

Younger brother, Walter Forest Wilson, served as a MM3c in the U.S. Navy aboard several different ships during the war.