Walter K. Wilson

Early life

Walter King Wilson was born in Nashville, Tennessee on October 7, 1880, a son of James Edward Wilson and Mary E. (Williamson) Wilson. He was raised and educated in Nashville, and was an 1897 graduate of Fogg High School. Wilson completed his high school education with academic honors and was chosen as his class salutatorian. He finished first of 23 applicants on the competitive examination offered by US Representative John W. Gaines and was appointed in April 1898. His classmates who also became general officers included John Knowles Herr and William A. McCain. Among his prominent classmates who did not attain general officer rank were Adam Casad and Harry Nelly. His unit was subsequently transferred to Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming, and Wilson remained with his battery until July 1905. From February 1915 to October 1917, he served again as assistant to the Chief of Coast Artillery. From January to August 1921, he served as officer in charge of the War Department's statistics branch. Wilson attended the United States Army War College from August 1921 to July 1922. He was promoted to colonel in March 1934 and in March 1935, he was assigned to Omaha, Nebraska and appointed chief of staff of the Seventh Corps Area. He then assumed command of the 9th Coast Artillery District with headquarters in San Francisco, and beginning in December 1941 he commanded the 9th Coast Artillery District, III Corps, and the Northern California Sector of the Western Defense Command.

First Distinguished Service Medal citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps) Walter King Wilson (ASN: 0-1700), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I, in the organization and administration of the Cable Service of the War Department in the United States, thereby enabling that service to meet the excessive demands made upon it during the war.

Service: United States Army Rank: Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps) Division: Cable Service Action Date: World War I Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 18 (1919)

Second Distinguished Service Medal citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Walter King Wilson (ASN: 0-1700), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, as Executive Director, Army Emergency Relief, from January 1944 to September 1945, and as the Secretary of War’s Liaison Officer with the American Red Cross from June 1944 to September 1945. In the latter assignment, General Wilson was responsible for scrutinizing all War Department and Army policies related to Red Cross activities, and was given the duty as representative and under the direction of the Secretary of War of resolving questions of doubt, difficulty, or conflict of mission. With keen foresight, superior judgment, initiative, diplomacy, knowledge of sound business organization and outstanding leadership, he administered Army Emergency Relief and brought about a very close relationship between the American Red Cross and the Army in rendering emergency financial assistance to hundreds of thousands of soldiers and their dependents, which aided materially in achieving high morale not only within the Army but also among the dependents of Army personnel.

Service: United States Army Rank: Major General Division: Army Emergency Relief Action Date: January 1944 – September 1945 Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 97 (1945)

Legion of Merit citation To: Walter K. Wilson, Major General, U. S. Army.

For: Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as commanding general, Third Army Corps and Southern California Sector, Western Defense Command, from December 22, 1941, to April 30, 1942, and as commanding general, Northern California Sector, Western Defense Command, from May 1, 1942, to January 6, 1944. With keen foresight, aggressiveness, initiative, and superior qualities of leadership, he developed the plans and the organization of his command in such an outstanding manner that his units have constantly been prepared to meet any threat from enemy action against the coast of the United States. He has at all times exhibited the utmost tact and diplomacy in meeting the problems incident to contact with the civilian population and agencies within the geographical location of his command. General Wilson, by his vigorous action and close personal supervision, aided materially in the effective evacuation of enemy aliens and persons of Japanese ancestry from the area of his command, with the result that the threat of extensive sabotage was removed before any damage could be inflicted.

Service: United States Army Rank: Major General Division: Northern California Sector Action Date: December 22, 1941 – January 6, 1944 Orders: Western Defense Command (1944)

Effective dates of rank Wilson's dates of rank were:

Second Lieutenant, 12 June 1902 First Lieutenant, 25 January 1907 Captain, 4 April 1911 Major (National Army), 5 August 1917 Lieutenant Colonel (National Army), 17 May 1918 Colonel (National Army), 6 September 1918 Major, 30 June 1920 Lieutenant Colonel, 15 February 1925 Colonel, 26 May 1934 Brigadier General, 7 May 1937 Major General (Army of the United States), 25 October 1940 Major General, 1 April 1941 Major General (Retired), 30 June 1944 Major General (Recalled), 1 July 1944 Major General (Retired), 30 November 1946