Edwards, Wilson Jacob

Item

Title: Edwards, Wilson Jacob
Biography: Corporal Wilson Edwards joined an elite unit within the Rangers that became known as "Darby's Rangers" led by Col. William Orlando Darby. Edwards volunteered to infiltrate German lines in Anzio and was wounded in the leg behind enemy lines. Because he could not walk well enough to escape, his fellow rangers covered him with leaves and debris where he remained hidden for twenty-four hours before they returned to rescue him under the cover of night. Edwards was discharged due to his injuries and received the Purple Heart. He was born and raised in Petersburg.; In photograph Wilson is on the right, his brother Claude is on the left.
Member: Edwards family
Birth date: 3 Mar 1923
Place of birth: Petersburg (Ky.)
Father: Edwards, Claude
Mother: Nixon, Ethel Alice
Sibling(s): Edwards, Claude Grant
Spouse(s): McKain, Ruth May
Death date: 3 Sep 1979
Place of death: Boone County (Ky.)
Death and burial information: Petersburg Cemetery (Petersburg, Ky.)
Military service: 1st Ranger Division, U.S. Army
Allegiance: United States of America
Held rank: Corporal
Service began: 1 Jan 1943
Service ended: Aug 1944
Bibliographic citation(s): FindaGrave.com, memorial #100963836; Boone County Recorder, Thursday December 9, 1943, page 1, column 5; Boone County Recorder, Thursday September 6, 1979, page 1, column 1; Boone County Recorder, Thursday June 29, 1944, page 1, column 6; Boone County Recorder, Thursday June 29, 1944, page 8, column 1
Source(s): U.S., World War II Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954; Find A Grave.com; U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946; Newspapers.com

Item sets: World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Boone County; Veterans--Kentucky--Boone County

Media: Claude and Wilson Edwards