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Navy Federal Credit Union
William
R.
Wilson
POW (WWII)

Home:

Lake Geneva

, 

Wisconsin

William Wilson was a member of the crew of the U.S.S. Pope which was badly damaged and subsequently sank on March 1, 1942. He and the other survivors floated in life rafts or in floatation jackets throughout the night and into the following day when they were picked up and captured by the Japanese.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Celebes Island & Japan)

    Action Date:

    March 2, 1942 – August 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Lieutenant William R. Wilson (NSN: 0-71397), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after his ship, the U.S.S. POPE (DD-225), was sunk on 1 March 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in August 1945.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Division:

    U.S.S. Pope (DD-225)

    Action Date:

    January – March 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 351 (June 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander [then Lieutenant] William R. Wilson (NSN: 0-71397), United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Gunnery Officer of the U.S.S. POPE (DD-225) in action against Japanese forces during battles of Macassar Strait, Badoeng Strait and Java Sea, from January to March 1942.