Pottawattamie County

T/Sgt. John R. Wilson

 

SOLDIER DIES
Learns Brother Dies of Illness

T. Sgt. John R. Wilson, 45, died of malaria in a Japanese prison camp July 22, 1942, somewhere in the Philippines, according to word received by his sister, Mrs. Arthur Jensen, 1008 Eighth avenue. Entering the service nearly 15 years ago, he had been overseas two years. He attended St. Francis school.

A brother, 2nd Lt. Joseph F. Wilson, was killed in action in France last December.

He is survived by his widow, Opal, of Tilden, Ill.; a daughter, Beverly Ann, at home; five sisters, Mrs. Frank Connelly and Mrs. W. E. Hall, both of Chicago; Mrs. Arthur Jensen and Mrs. Wayne Osborn, both of Council Bluffs, and Mrs. Les Grundmeier of Bellevue, Neb.; and three brothers, Charles Wilson of San Francisco, Bernard Wilson of Los Angeles, and Pvt. Donald Wilson, stationed with the army in New Jersey.

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Friday, August 24, 1945, Page 7

John R. Wilson was born July 12, 1900 to Charles J. and Mary Elizabeth Quinn Wilson. He died July 22, 1942 and is buried in Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.

Sgt. Wilson served in World War II with the U.S. Army 34th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group and became a POW at Cabanatuan Prison Camp, Luzon, Philippines.

Source: ancestry.com