Untitled

Last Name: ` WILSON	First Name Middle Initial: GEORGE		Nick Name:
Street: 1902 GLENDALE AVE,	City & State: BETHLEHEM,, PA		E-Mail: editor@combatvets.net
Zip: 18018	Phone: (610) 691-7007		Spouse: JOANN
Conflict: WWII	Service Branch: ARMY		Unit: lst Infantry Division (Big Red One)
Theater: ETO	Where Captured: Luxembourg		Date Captured: 12/16/44
Camps Held In: Stalag 2B, Stalag 4B, Stalag 4F, Kriegsgefangenlager Friedrichsgrun, Zwickau Prisoner of War Number: 160860			How Long Interned: 130 days
liberated / repatriated: liberated	Date Liberated: 4/25/45		Age at Capture: 21
Medals Received: Purple Heart with 2 oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, the French Normandy Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, the European Theater of Operations Medal with four (4) battle stars (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, the American Defense Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the American Defense Medal, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. On March 21, 2003, Wilson went to the Frency Embassy in Washington, DC, and gave his Normandy Medal back to the Country of France. This was out of respect for all of his friends who were killed on Omaha Beach and elsewhere for the liberation of France from under the dictator Adolph Hitler. President Chirac vowed to veto a resolution to support a coalition of countries who were ready to declare war on Iraq.
Military Job: Rifleman, Squad Leader		Company: self
Occupation after War: Construction Consultant/Attorney

Military Bio:

BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE J. WILSON

GEORGE J. WILSON, born on March 11, 1924, in Easton, PA, enlisted in the United States Army on December 6, 1940. Only sixteen years of age, he had to lie to get in. He was assigned to the lst Infantry Division (Big Red One) at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New York. This was prior to WWII when being a serviceman was not viewed as being an outstanding citizen, but as a free-loader who was living on the taxpayers. In early 1941 his outfit was transferred to Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He recalls going into a diner in Ayer, Massachusetts, a small town outside of the Fort, and was confronted with a large sign SOLDIERS AND DOGS NOT ALLOWED. It wasn't until after Pearl Harbor that the citizens began to respect the servicemen since they were now subject to the draft.

Mr. Wilson participated in five major battles, including Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Severe fighting took place all across France, through the Normandy hedgerows, the Siegfried Line, Aachen, the Hurtgen Forest (Ardennes) and the Battle of the Bulge. The Bulge, starting on December 16, 1944, was the last major offensive effort by Hitler, and was a very complex battle, the largest battle in the history of the United States.

It was a horrible battle, involving over a million people, destroying tens of thousands of lives, covering hundreds of square miles, lasting 41 days. Mr. Wilson was wounded three times and was captured during the Battle of the Bulge 1944-45 and remained in prison camp until the end of the war. As a result of his wounds and disabilities, Mr. Wilson spent almost two years in a Veterans Administration Hospital. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal with two oak clusters, the European Theatre of Operations Medal with five battle stars, the Bronze Star, the French Normandy Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, the National Defense Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Mr. Wilson is a trustee for the Chapel of the Four Chaplains and was awarded the Legion of Merit for meritorious service to Veterans. He served with the Secret Service during the administration of John F. Kennedy. As of this date he is sitting as a Judge of Arbitration for the National Center of Dispute Settlements, based in Dallas, Texas. He attended school in Easton, PA, Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA, where he was accredited as a member of the Minor Judiciary in the State of Pennsylvania, as a District Justice. He completed courses at Northampton Community College and Penn State University. He is a life member in the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the AMVETS, Disabled Veterans of America (Commander 2002-2003), American Ex-Prisoners of War and the CombatVets organization. Mr. Wilson formed a corporation known as Society of War Prisoners, Ltd. All ex-prisoners of war are honorary members. Wilson has dedicated himself to helping veterans. He is a member of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Bar Association and was admitted to the court in 1990, in Washington, D.C.

He was selected to serve on the transition team of Governor-Elect Edward Rendell of Pennsylvania.

Photos of Family http://combatvets.net/Bios/WilsonGeorge/WilsonGallery2.htm

Mr. Wilson is married to JoAnn and they have five children, Kathleen Tomaino, married to Peter Tomaino, of Easton, PA, Colleen Kirchner, Annapolis, MD, Helene Kalnas Easterday, New Tripoli, PA, Geralene Wilson Bogart, Easton, PA, and George III, married to the former Marlee Moughan of Hellertown, PA, residing in Freemansburg, PA.

The Wilson's have three grandsons, Dean Tomaino, of Woodbridge, NJ, Thomas J. Kirchner, of Annapolis, MD., and Brett Easterday of New Tripoli, PA. Brett recently re-enlisted for 6 more years after duty in South Korea and Italy. Brett served 10 years in the U.S. Army K9 Corps. He did tours in Korea, Italy, and Iraq. He is discharged and resides in Pennsylvania where he has a business training dogs.
The Wilson's have three granddaughters, Tracy Fickes of Allentown, PA, Ahnika Bogart of Easton, PA, and Madison Shea Wilson, of Freemansburg, PA. Ahnika, who is eight years old and Madison Shea, who is 2 years old are sharing an infinite emanation of love from their grandfather.

The Wilson's also have a step-grandaughter, Jodi Kalnas, who attends East Stroudsburg State College.
George J. Wilson Jr. of Bethlehem, Pa, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 2, 2007 while at St. Luke's In-Patient Hospice.


Judge of Arbitration, NCDS, 1997		20th birthday, England 1944


Ahnika ''My Reason for Life''	Hiding behind a pile of manure	Dressed in a souvenir 1946