Memorial

More information

Lt Wilson graduated from Washington Township School in 1941. He farmed with his father and brothers.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Des Moines, Iowa on 28 October 1942.

Statement of 1st Lt Richard Tomlinson:
"We were on a B-24 escort to Vienna. Just before we reached the target, the bombers called that they would bomb the number 1 alternative target, which was Bruck, Austria. As we were also to skip bomb a train, the 48th Squadron Leader, who was also leading the Group, gave us permission to leave the group formation.

"With red, blue, and green flights circling for top cover, white flight spiralled down in a generally southern direction. At approximately 1225, white leader sighted a train just north of us. As he turned to a heading of 360°, his wingman dropped back on my wing, and Lt Wilson dropped back to a #3 position. We passed over the train heading south and made a 180° turn. At this time white leader dropped to the deck and skipped bombed the train. I stayed at about 1,000 feet with white #2 and swung out to the right, passing just west of the train. About 45 seconds after white leader dropped his bombs, Lt Wilson dropped back to take pictures of the damage. I joined up with white leader and called white flight to check in. Lt Wilson failed to answer. Red and blue leader returned to the train but found no trace of the plane."

Lt Wilson was initially buried at the cemetery of Schwanberg, Austria.

Lt Daniel Wilson is, together with his brother Dale, remembered at the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Dallas County, Iowa.

Five brothers served during the war. Tragically, three brothers died. F/O Claiborne, 20 years old and the youngest son, was killed in a plane accident at Aloe Field, Texas, on 9 August 1944. Lt Dale, also USAAF, 24 years old, was killed in action on a mission to Wewak, New Guinea, on 27 November 1943.

Brothers Delbert, 30 years old, and Donald, 20 years old, served in the Navy and returned home.

One picture shows his grave at Lorraine Cemetery with his sisters Doris and Darlene during their visit in October 1997.

The five brothers are remembered on the Dallas County Freedom Rock at Minburn, near where they farmed with their father during the war.