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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jan '92
Donald Wilson, Jr. No.15719 Class of 1946
Died 3 September 1986 at Fort Walton Beach, Florida, aged 63
years. Cremated at Fort Walton Beach, Florida
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Donald Wilson, Jr., affectionately known as "the
Gromwald" to his cadet friends and roommates, was the son
of the late Major General Donald Wilson, USAF and Edna T. Wilson.
He was born at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas on 5 July
1923.
As the son of an Army Air Corps officer, Don Jr.
spent his youth before entering West Point enjoying life at many
Army airfields and military installations. These included Kelly
Field, Nichols Field in the Philippines, Langley Field, Maxwell
Field and Fort Leavenworth.
About age 11, Don's parents encouraged him to learn
to play a musical instrument. Not inclined to make matters simple,
and impressed by a popular comedian of the time, Harpo Marx,
Don selected the harp. A rented harp and lessons showed that
Don was quite sincere in this endeavor, and, over the years,
he developed into a very proficient harpist.
The outstanding example and encouragement of a
successful father and a devoted mother, the similar goals of
entering the Military Academy discussed by his companions and
the nation's involvement in World War II all served to direct
Don toward West Point. Following graduation from Woodrow Wilson
High School in Washington, D.C., Don entered Sullivan's Preparatory
School, obtained an appointment from Senator Millard E. Tydings
of Maryland and reported to USMA with the Class of 1946.
Don's cadet days were not particularly unusual.
He was a member of Cadet Company F-2, and his roommates at the
Academy described him as "sensitive, kind and considerate
with a wry sense of humor" and "one with a true sense
of dedication, purpose and professionalism. He was a friend to
all and was well-liked by everyone."
Don took part in several athletic activities while
at West Point, including football, basketball, softball and Corps
Squad soccer. He enjoyed chess very much, but his greatest love
in the field of sports was golf. He had a very low handicap and
enjoyed playing golf well into his retirement years.
Colonel (Retired) Alvan C. "Beano" Hadley,
Jr., USA, was Don's roommate throughout his years at USMA. He
said about him, "Don was a congenial, sensitive, supportive
and cooperative person. He was a cultured gentleman with many
talents: natural leadership, musicianship, athletic and scholarly
ability. He was a man endowed with a great sense of humor who
could enjoy fits of laughter and take great delight in his roommates'
lousy jokes or high-jinks and yet be mature enough not to join
them in their foolish endeavors at the expense of the TAC and
the usual resulting punishment tours. He was very conscientious,
serious about his responsibilities and overly generous in giving
academic help to those who needed it badly. There was no truer
friend than Don. He was the brother I never had."
Don graduated with his class on 4 June 1946 and
was commissioned in the Army Air Corps. After his Advanced Pilot
Training at Enid, Oklahoma, he earned the Air Force specialty
title of Education and Training Staff officer. His field was
Special Weapons, which he taught at Sandia Base, New Mexico and
at the Air Force Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
On 16 September 1950, Don and Emily Bird Linthicum
of Baltimore, Maryland were married. Don was stationed at Sandia
Base at the time. Then came assignments as student and instructor
at the Air Force Command and Staff College, followed by duty
with SHAPE, then located near Paris, France. While at SHAPE,
Don was able to play golf on many European courses. His biggest
thrill came when he was invited to play in the International
Invitational Golf Tournament at Luxembourg in 1956. It was during
this year that he also was awarded the aeronautical rating of
senior pilot.
Don next was assigned to Langley AFB, Virginia,
followed by a tour at Lackland AFB, Texas. Don was then assigned
to the Graduate School of the University of Chicago, from which
he graduated in 1964 with an MBA degree. After two years of duty
at Eglin AFB, Florida, Don retired on 30 June 1966 with over
20 years of service.
Emily and Don decided to settle down in Fort Walton
Beach, Florida near Eglin AFB after retirement. Don continued
to pursue his golf avocation with vigor and became a member of
the Gulf Coast Senior Golf Association. He also continued to
use his talents as an instructor by teaching in the Fort Walton
Beach school system and at Okaloosa-Walton Junior College.
Don is survived by his wife Emily; daughters Mary
Catharine Kaszuba, and Terry Ann Dickinson; three grandchildren
and a sister, Theresa J. Cochran.
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