Jack joined the Army when he was 17 on 27 Oct 1939. He must have seen what many at that time were in denial of, the atrocities being committed by the Nazi Regime and if he hadn’t known about them, we know he learned. He saved some telling pictures, one being a photo he took himself at a Nazi concentration camp. (*Warning Graphic photo posted at the bottom of page of the horrible murders committed at a Nazi Concentration Camp. I only chose to post this so people know it was real and tragic. This was the photograph that Jack Wilson took himself when he was fighting in WWII.)

Photograph of the 113th, which was later split into several troops. Private Jack Wilson is 2nd from the left in the second row

He must have seen a cause to join so young. The draft wasn’t even until a year later on 16 Sep 1940. He entered into active service on 23 Dec 1940.

He trained at Fort Hood, Texas. He was assigned to the 113th Cavalry but was soon realized that the group was too large and it was broken up into smaller sections, he was soon reassigned to Troop B 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized.

Jack with his half track, which he named after his love, Claudine

He was a half track driver. Not much is known about his time there, there are a few articles and photos but he chose to never mention anything he had experienced.

Article retained by the family about some action that the 125th saw when it linked up with the Russian forces

A few years back Uncle Jack was looking through some things and found a Medal among his father Jack’s belongings. He looked into it and it turned out to be a Arrowhead Medal. They were only given to soldiers who participated in the landing on the beaches of Normandy.

Private Jack Wilson with unknown soldiers. Jack is 3rd from right.

His troop landed on Omaha Beach. Information about the Arrowhead Medal can be found here.

According to his discharge papers he traveled to Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes.

He demobilized on 15 Dec 1944. He was overseas for 1 year and 9 months. He separated on 27 Oct 1945. His time served was 5 years and 2 Days according to the Honorable Discharge. His total pay was $300

Private Jack Wilson with the distance sign, likely gazing in the direction of home and his beloved wife and newborn son.

He also posed proudly with a defeated Nazi aircraft. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to post this picture here, despite the nature of the photograph. He had joined the service at such a young age, he had witnessed horrific things with his own eyes. He saw death, innocent victims, thousands of them. He fought for those lives, he liberated many towns for an evil regime, and fought to free the people in concentration camps who, by grace God, were still alive. He deserves his photograph to be shown but the political climate of today, dictates that his photo is not allowed, due to ignorance.

Private Jack Wilson posing with unknown man and boys, likely in France

There are conflicting stories about whether the 125th stormed the beach at Normandy but Uncle Jack has the Medal and several stories state that a small group went ashore on D-Day.