Missing in Action March 06, 1944 Declared Dead August 07, 1945
Russell A. Wilson was born on December 18, 1905, at Dixon Springs, Illinois. He attended Southern Illinois Normal School and graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree on June 9, 1928, when he was commissioned a second lieutenant, Signal Corps.
SERVICE
His first commissioned service was at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where he was on duty with the 51st Battalion until August 1929 when he was assigned to the Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, where he received a Master of Science degree in June 1930. He again was ordered to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where he graduated from the Signal School in June 1931. He then received ground and flying instruction at the Air Corps Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas, and Randolph Field, Texas. Upon graduation in March 1932, he transferred to the Air Corps Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas, and graduated in June 1932. He then was assigned to Langley Field, Virginia, as Group Communications Officer, 8th Pursuit Group. From July to October 1933, he served as Camp Executive and Adjutant, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, briefly, and thereafter at Farrandsville, Pennsylvania. He then returned to Langley Field, Virginia, where he resumed his duties as Group Communications Officer, 8th Pursuit Group.
From February to June 1934, he was Zone Communications Officer, Eastern Zone, Army Air Corps Mail Operations, Mitchel Field, New York, and thereafter returned again to Langley Field for duty with the 8th Pursuit Group. In September 1934, he was named Assistant Operations Officer, 8th Pursuit Group, and the following November became Wing Communications and Supply Officer, 2d Bombardment Wing, Langley Field. He rejoined the 8th Pursuit Group at the same station in March 1935, and served until the following November when he became Flight Commander, 36th Pursuit Squadron, General Headquarters Air Force, at Langley Field. He was named Squadron Supply Officer and Adjutant of the 36th Pursuit Squadron in March 1936, and in August of the same year was assigned to Maxwell Field, Alabama, where he graduated from the Air Corps Tactical School in June 1937.
His next assignment was to the Chemical Warfare School, Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland, where he completed the Field Officers’ Course in August 1937. He then moved to Maxwell Field, Alabama, until the following September when he became Squadron Adjutant and Personnel Officer, 32d Bombardment Squadron, General Headquarters Air Force, at March Field, California. In July 1938 he was designated Operations and Intelligence Officer, 32d Bombardment Squadron, and in November 1938 assumed command of the 1st Communications Squadron at March Field. He proceeded to Langley Field in July 1940, and became Communications Officer, 41st Reconnaissance Squadron, until January 1941, when he assumed command of the 13th Reconnaissance Squadron at Langley Field.
From August 1941 until March 1942, he served as Assistant to the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Air Force Combat Command, at Bolling Field, District of Columbia, and then was assigned to the Latin America Section, Operations Division, War Department General Staff, Washington, D.C. In April 1943 he became Wing Executive Officer, 4th Bombardment Wing in England, and the following month was designated to command the 403d Provisional Combat Wing. He assumed command of the 4th Bombardment Wing in September 1943, and on March 6, 1944, was announced as missing in action in a raid over Berlin, Germany. He was declared dead by the War Department on August 7, 1945.
He was rated a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, and Aircraft Observer.
PROMOTIONS
Cadet, U.S. Military Academy, July 1, 1924; Second Lieutenant, Signal Corps, June 9, 1928; Air Corps on July 1, 1931; transferred to Air Corps on July 18, 1932; First Lieutenant, April 1, 1934; Captain (temporary), April 20, 1935, to June 16, 1936; Captain, June 9, 1938; Major, A.U.S., January 31, 1941; Major (temporary), February 1, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), January 5, 1942; Lieutenant Colonel, A.U.S., February 1, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S. (Air Corps), March 1, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S., November 1, 1943; Brigadier General, A.U.S., February 29, 1944.
DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Cross (posthumous), Silver Star, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously) in 1944 with the following citation:
“RUSSELL A. WILSON, O-17164, Brigadier General (then Colonel), United States Army. (Missing in Action). For extraordinary heroism in action with the enemy, 6 March 1944. On this date, General Wilson led a combat wing in a successful large scale operation against military objectives in the vicinity of the German Capital. The formation was subjected to fierce intermittent attacks by large forces of determined enemy fighters throughout 600 miles of the flight. Despite the ferocity of these attacks, General Wilson, by exceptionally skillful and courageous leadership, kept his wing in close battle formation throughout the flight, thus permitting his gunners to destroy many of the enemy fighters. As the formation neared its objective anti-aircraft fire became intense, and just prior to reaching the bomb release point General Wilson’s airplane received a direct shell hit which caused severe damage. Although he might have abandoned his airplane, thereby increasing his personal chance for survival, General Wilson, without thoughts for his personal safety, remained with his airplane and kept it in the command position until the bombing run was completed and the formation was on its way to home bases. He then issued a final order to his wing to maintain battle formation. At this point the now uncontrollable airplane lost altitude and exploded. By his heroism, gallant leadership, and devotion to duty General Wilson rendered outstanding distinguished and valorous service to our nation. Entered military service from Illinois.”
In December 1943 he was awarded the Silver Star with the following citation:
“For gallantry in action while serving as Air Commander of a Task Force of B-17 airplanes on a mission over Germany, 9 October 1943. Colonel Wilson directed the attack from his position in the leading aircraft. Prior to reaching the target, the formation was subjected to vicious attacks by enemy fighters. Though the enemy made every effort to scatter the formation, Colonel Wilson maintained excellent air discipline and skillfully led his force over the target, which was bombed with great success. The completion of this highly important mission is directly attributable to the gallantry, skill and leadership displayed by Colonel Wilson. His actions reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
He was awarded the Air Medal in July 1943 “for exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in five separate bomber combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by these officers and enlisted men upon these occasions reflect great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
He received an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal in October 1943 for “meritorious achievement while participating in five separate bomber combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.”