Only Delbert, the oldest. One daughter, Leora Darlene, was born during the war. Donna and Delbert Ross were born later. None of Delbert’s children is living now, but there are several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Donald married but had no children. Dale, Danny, and Junior never married.
The Wilson brothers had two sisters, so Clabe and Leora Wilson eventually enjoyed nine grandchildren.
Delbert and Donald’s next sibling was Doris, my mother. I was born during the war, my sister Gloria in 1946.
Darlene was Dale’s twin sister. She had four sons: Richard (Dick), Robert (Bob), Dennis and David Scar. Only the two oldest are still living. There are many Scar grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Did Dale, Danny, or Junior Wilson ever see any of their nieces and nephews?
Does this count? Junior wrote home in August of 1944, that my folks had stopped at his AAF base on their way back to Dad’s base in Texas. He reported that I smiled at him, and that I looked like my mother.
Richard Wilson Scar
Dale Wilson’s first combat mission in New Guinea was on the date of his only nephew’s first birthday, October 21, 1943. Richard was the son of Dale’s twin, so it was doubly memorable.
Richard was the only Wilson grandchild enjoyed by his uncles, Danny and Junior.
What? No pictures of all nine cousins? We all lived in Iowa during most of the 1950s. Surely we were together at least once! I ended up with family photos sent to Grandma Leora, but I sorted everything quickly and mailed them off to the families they belonged to. I wish I’d gotten copies of some of them first, with the younger ones with their older siblings.
Even with no descendants to remember the WWII service and sacrifice of Dale, Danny, and Junior Wilson, those younger brothers are being acknowledged today. We are thankful for that.
You have so many amazing photos capturing moments for the generations, Joy! I especially love the last one you included in this post – of little Richard and his handsome uncle. Something about their smiles and the tilt on Junior’s hat…in full dress uniform, but showing his personality.
❤️🥰❤️
The Wilson sister Darlene was the only one still in Iowa, so Leora took photos (and labeled them!) to send to the others. I’ve become the keeper of her treasures. Thank you for your dear comment, Vicki!
Thank you for sharing and inviting us in, Joy! 🥰
You are so fortunate to have the photos of Danny and Junior with their nephew.
Grandma took photos to share with everyone since Darlene was the only one of her seven children still in Iowa. I’m the keeper of her treasures.
Thankful, indeed!
You’ve certainly helped with the effort, Bob!
This sure makes me grateful, Joy. My dad couldn’t serve in WWII because he had polio as a boy and a lifetime limp as a result. Three of my uncles served, but all of them lived through it.
Dad and his brother, both pilots–Uncle Bill flew several missions over the Hump, survived. They farmed and never talked about the war. Thank you, Tim.
I love the picture of Leora’s and Clabe’s grandchildren which shows pretty little Joy suspiciously eyeing her cousin! Maybe your relatives can scan the photos you gave them and email them to you. 🙂
Good thinking, Thanks, Nancy!