A fighter pilot, Danny Wilson was lost
in February 1945, when his silver Lightning
dropped back to take photos
on a mission over Austria.
Danny's last furlough home to Dallas County, Iowa,
was the spring of 1944. His picture, taken in Perry,
shows his solid jaw, broad shoulders.
Confidence, contentment.
Silver pilot's wings against the dark uniform.
In a snowy forest in the foothills of the Alps,
Wehrmacht personnel find a dead "American
flying lieutenant" in the wreckage of
his "forktailed devil."
The Wilsons had also taken snapshots of Danny
beside the '42 Plymouth with his sisters
and holding his nephew. Doris, her first baby due
in six weeks, stood behind Darlene and Danny
so her "condition" wouldn't show.
The airman who lost his life at Schwanberg, Austria,
in February of 1945, was identified by his dogtags,
which the Wehrmacht kept--Daniel S. Wilson.
When Danny began cadet training, Doris wrote,
"I just want you to know, whether you turn out
to be an ace or a grease monkey,
you'll still be a swell brother to me."
The 37th Fighter Squadron in Italy reported his P-38 lost,
his belongings were inventoried, and the flight surgeon added
to an official form, "good man--good pilot."
When he got his overseas orders, Doris wrote,
"Danny, you take darn good care of you,
and get home as soon as possible.
We don't want any heroes in the family,
just all of us home."
At Danny Wilson's first burial were four strangers:
the village inspector, the bergermeister,
the grave digger, and the Roman Catholic priest,
who held a burial ceremony for him--secretly.
His parents received a telegram in March 1943
with the news that he was MIA. But they never learned
the details of his death and burial. The daughter
born to Doris was the first family member to see,
fifty years later, his casualty records.
That fall, after the war was over,
Danny's grave was located
by a British Graves Registration Team,
through captured Germany records.
But Danny Wilson's parents received no more word
until January 1946, when the War Department reported
that it had received "evidence sufficient
to establish the fact of [his] death."
In a carton sent home with his other belongings,
was a small New Testament.
On the page with the American flag, Danny had written,
"I give everything for the country it stands for."
All five Wilson brothers served in the war--
two in the Navy, three in the Army Air Corps.
At age 21, Danny was one of the three young pilots
who never came home.
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Dear Joy…tears in my eyes as I read. Thank you. Thank you. ❤️
Bless you, Vicki.
❤️❤️❤️
Continue keeping those memories alive!
80 years ago. Thank you, Dennis.
Relating the events of Danny’s life and death still hit me hard.
Same here, even though it’s been 80 years.
It’s a sad story and a good reminder how fragile life and freedom are.
Thank you, Elaine. I’m afraid the next generations will forget.
What a heartwarming and heart-wrenching story, Joy. Thank you for sharing. 🙏🙏
Thank you, Gail.
That’s the problem with becoming a hero. You don’t have to try. That Bible still tears me up.
Same here, Rich. He also signed the faith statement at the end. I’m thankful for that.
I join Victoria, “rinsing dust from my eyes”. Having known all this for decades, it still affects me deeply. Three uncles inspired me to be an aviator and I believe “we” will meet them one day !
The brothers talked about having a big reunion! Oh, I want in on it as well! Bob, your mother was awaiting your birth. Once she said that your babyhood was a blur because of two brothers missing during that time.
This is a heartbreaking story, but it reveals such a brave and beautiful soul. The inscription in the Bible is incredible. Keeping these memories and stories alive is so important. Bless you for all the time and effort you have put in… all the details bring these stories to life. It is also a beautiful thing to read about the Catholic priest…
Thank you, Linda. I cried when I read about that first burial. No one in Danny’s family had any idea.
The uncertainty and lack of information had to be the hardest on the family as they waited with any signs of hope. Danny wore that uniform well.
Thank you, Pete. My aunt, whose twin was already MIA, was expecting her second baby in a few weeks. Cousin Bob will be 80 in early May. His mother said his babyhood was a blur, with two brothers missing.
This is a heartwrenching narration of Danny’s story.
Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Joy.
Bless that priest. Thank for sharing, Joy. A heartbreaking story.
I agree, John. I was so taken by that little comment in his records.
This is such a moving way to present Danny’s sad end, Joy. I have to remark on your naming—a joy to a family experiencing such sorrow.
Thank you, Eilene. Very quickly God added half a dozen grandchildren to the family, who were such blessings. Eventually there were nine. Only three of us are left.
The truth can jab one’s heart, Joy. A hero deserves praise, but their loss is heartbreaking.
Especially one of three in the same family.
The blurred babyhood and less nurturing may explain a few things about me !! I’ll try not to use that as an excuse.
“Shadows in our Home” is one of the poems in the new book. I think their generation tried to shield ours, but the shadows were still there, weren’t they? Mom was in such deep mourning even when Gloria was born.
Joy, your post reminds me of when I was reading your book, literally feeling the tears form and my heart ache. ❤️
Thank you, Lauren.
Heart breaking.
Thank you, Darlene. Especially since he was the second brother missing and they’d also lose a third one.
The love, respect, and close bond your family had with one another was beautiful. For them to have suffered the devastating loss of Danny and his two brothers would have caused unbearable pain. Thank you for sharing Danny’s story, Joy.
Thank you, Nancy.
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