August 11, 2006

Oroville Mercury Register August 11, 1956

GEN. ARTHUR WILSON DIES IN S.F.; SHOCK TO HIS FRIENDS
Follows Coronary Two Days Ago
Oroville’s Most Famed Soldier. Part 2
Was With Ike
By the first of August, 1942, Gen. Wilson was in England with General Dwight D. Eisenhower. As one of the youngest generals in the army he helped organize the gigantic operation that was to develop into the invasion of the European continent two years later and then, with the preliminary work done, he was sent to Africa. There he set up the supply system that provided the troops and the arms with which the Allies were to drive the German and Italians forces from North Africa. For that task he received the order of the Legion of Merit. As the tide of the Allied Forces swept toward the underbelly of Europe, Gen. Wilson joined in the invasion of Sicily where his organization of the supply lines led to the swift capture of that island. From his headquarters there he kept the men and the arms flowing toward Italy as the Allies began their advance northward along the Italian Boot. When the famous beachhead was established at Anzio, Gen. Wilson was there to make certain that the guns and the ammunition were at hand for the fierce fight that followed

Invasion of France
From Italy the Allies jumped off for the invasion of southern France with Gen. Wilson one of the first officers to land. It wasn’t until he was in the middle of that campaign that he learned he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his work at Anzio. He met one of his sternest tests in southern France when, with supply lines stretched to the breaking point. The forces of Lt. General Alexander Patch were attempting to drive the Germans out of that theater of war. Gen. Wilson commandeered the jeeps, ambulances trucks, planes and guns that General Patch used to complete the successful campaign. For that work Gen. Wilson was made a Commander in the French Legion of Honor and was awarded the Croix De Guerre with Palm, by the French nation. He was also made a corporal in the French Foreign Legion, the highest rank conferred by that organization. The grateful citizens of Marseilles and Dijon elected him to honorary citizenship and the universities of Naples, Italy and Nancy, France, awarded him degrees.

Across The Channel
Then came the invasion of France by forces that steamed across the English Channel. Once more Gen. Wilson was called on to organize and direct the job of supply. He moved with the triumphant forces across the borders of France and into Germany as the war came to a close. His list of decorations grew with awards from Britain, Poland and Morocco as well as a Bronze Star from the American government. Following his retirement that came after the peace treaties were signed, Gen. Wilson engaged in extensive business activities in Europe as an official in several large corporations, among them the Industrial Trading Company which he headed. He spent most of his time in Europe until three years ago when he returned to Oroville.

Remained Active
Gen. Wilson appeared to be in good health and was engaged in the active operation of the Mt. Ida Groves which he owned with his brother Alex. A month ago he accompanied a group of local horsemen on a 50-mile trail ride that lasted for four days and was in excellent spirits. He continued to be extremely active until last Saturday when he was stricken with a bladder ailment while on a trip with his long-time friend, Dr. Charles B. Griggs, to the foothills above Stirling City. Dr. Griggs brought Gen. Wilson back to Oroville and from here he was taken to Letterman hospital by ambulance. His illness, while painful, was not considered serious and he was expected to recover. However, he was stricken with a heart attack two days ago and failed to rally. Besides his wife and daughter and brother Alex, Gen. Wilson leaves another brother William of Grass Valley. It was indicated today that the body will be brought to Oroville for services and burial will be in the Cherokee Cemetery near the spot where the man, who was to become one of the nation’s most brilliant soldiers, roamed the hills as a boy.

Stu’s Notes: Come by our booth at the Berry Creek Grange, Berry Creek, Berry Festival. We will be there from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, August 12th. The All Class Reunion mailing is complete. If you graduated high school in Oroville and didn’t get a registration form for October 14th events call and leave me your name and address and year you graduated, and I will see that you get one. We are going to try to build the memorial with all donated labor. I think we can do this, it would really show that the people of the Oroville Area are dedicated to the endeavor to really build this memorial. Many of us owe this debt to our Veterans.