Harold Wilson Obituary

Sept. 24, 1916-Mar. 7, 2006. Harold H. Wilson, 89, died March 7, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Shirley of 54 years. He is also survived by his daughter, Jo Ann; grandchildren: Codi and Joshua Stoddard; and great-grandchildren: Zachary, Daric and Tony, all of Salt Lake City. His sister, Carol Smith, resides in Wenatchee, WA. Hal was born in Lanark, IL., on September 24, 1916, to Marjorie Wild and Thomas W. Wilson. He was the grandson of a newspaper publisher and spent his youth in the newspaper shop. As a member of the "Greatest Generation," Hal served his country and its citizens for 30 years. He joined the Army Air Corp as an aviation cadet in 1942. He served in WWII, piloting B-24s based in Italy with the 460th Bomb Group. Downed over Brenner Pass, he and his crew members were guided to safety by the Italian Underground. Upon his return to the U.S. he was assigned to the Pentagon as a Special Events Officer. In 1948 Hal was assigned to the Pacific Theater, Misawa, Japan, where he flew the F-80 Shooting Star, the first operational jet aircraft outside the U.S. At the start of the Korean War, Hal was stationed in Taegue, Korea with the Korean Air Advisory Unit training ROK F-51 pilots in combat. He became Operations Officer under Col. Dean Hess and was his wingman on most of the 200 missions flown. he served as Air Advisor to the Korean Air Force and pilot for the Korean government. Hal returned to Long Island, N.Y., as Executive Officer for the Air Defense Fighter Squadron. He later served at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ent Air Force Base and in Washington, D.C. In 1959 Hal served as the first USAF officer to the Northern Norad Region in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He returned to the 9th Aerospace Division in Colorado Springs in 1962 and later was assigned to the Desert Test Center in Utah. His final assignment was as Chief at the Missile Warning Division at Aerospace Command in Colorado Springs with retirement in December 1971. Col. Wilson was a command pilot with over 6000 flying hours. His decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Commendation medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with four stars and American Theater Medal. Other commendations include: AF Outstanding Unit Medal, Korean Service Medal with 6 stars, Army of Occupation Medal, ROK Presidential Citation, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, AF Longevity Service Medal, Sharpshooter Medal and the 2nd highest decoration of the Korean Government, the Choon Moo Grau by President Syngman Rhee. Hal was always planning the next adventure and looking for the vehicle to take him there. He was known as "Mr. Model T." He spent his retirement perfecting antique automobiles and exploring northern Canada and Alaska from the Pacific to the Atlantic in his beloved 1915 Model T. His shop, "The Model T Works," was a gathering place for all who enjoyed a good story, antique cars, good company and a wee nip. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pikes Peak Hospice, 825 E. Pikes Peak, or a Veteran's Organization. Interment will be at Ft. Logan in Denver at a later date.