The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., September 13, 1951, page 1

BRUCE WILSON KILLED AUG. 30 IN KOREAN WAR
Expected To Return To States In September

     Sgt. Bruce Wilson, well known Goldendale boy, was killed in action in Korea August 30. Word of his death was received here Tuesday morning by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Logan Wilson. No details regarding his death were given.
     Sgt. Wilson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wilson, former Goldendale residents, who moved to Gresham, Oregon, about a year ago. He was 21 years of age and had been in the service four years, it was reported. He had been in the Korean war zone for the past year and a half. In a recent letter to Mr. and Mrs. Logan Wilson he stated that he expected to return to the states this month and was planning to be married upon his arrival.
     Sgt. Wilson was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and had been a resident of Goldendale since 1941. He leaves his father, Jack Wilson of Gresham, Ore.; his mother, Mrs. Louise Wilson, two brothers, Dick and Jock, jr., of Gresham, Ore.; two sisters, Mrs. Barbara Waters, Mrs. Don Husband and his grandmother, Mrs. Louisa Wilson, all of Idaho Falls, Idaho.
     Relatives living in Goldendale are his aunts and uncles, Mr. and Mrs. Logan Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Jess Wilson and Mrs. Kate Dove.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., November 29, 1951, page 1
Includes portrait

SERVICES FOR SGT. WILSON, KOREAN VETERAN, TO BE HELD AT GRESHAM

     Funeral services for Sgt. John B. Wilson, 21, of Goldendale, who was killed in action in Korea, August 30, will be held from the Carroll Funeral home, Gresham, Oregon, Friday, November 30 at 2 p.m. Interment will be made in the Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.
     Participating in the services will be a color guard from the Goldendale American Legion Post, headed by their commander Glenn Claussen, who will be accompanied by Bill Overly, Pete Barnes, Carl Davidson, Bob Anderson, Jim Bridgefarmer, and Frank Feeley.
     Details on how Sgt. Wilson lost his life while on the Korean battlefield front are not definitely known, according to his father, Jack Wilson, former Goldendale resident, who now resides at Gresham. It has been reported, however that his death was caused by an enemy mine. It is known that Wilson was engaged in clearing out enemy mine fields.
     Sgt. Wilson was a veteran of World War II. He entered the service in January, 1947, and served 13 months in the Aleutian Islands. He reenlisted in January, 1950 and on July 5, 1950, was sent to Korea with the 65th Engineers Combat Battalion, the same outfit George VandeVanter of Goldendale is serving with.
     The high esteem in which Sgt. Wilson was held is exemplified in the following letter received by his parents from John S. Shea, company Chaplain:

19 October 1951
Goldendale, Washington
My dear Mr. Wilson,

     I extend my profound sympathy to you on the recent loss of your son, Sergeant John B. Wilson, RA 19 278 290, who died in the service of his country on 30 August 1951, while in support of divisional operations preparatory to engaging the enemy in combat in Korea.
     As a member of his command, John was liked by all of his associates. He was an excellent soldier, performing all tasks assigned to him in a cheerful and efficient manner, thereby winning the commendation of his immediate superiors and the respect of his comrades. News of his death comes as a real shock to all who knew him, and his loss will be felt keenly in the organization.
     I sincerely hope that the knowledge that your son was an exemplary soldier and died while serving his country will afford you some consolation in your bereavement.
     Once again, personally and for the officers and men of this company, please accept our sincere sympathy in your sorrow.

Sincerely yours,
John S. Shea
Chaplain ChC
Battalion Chaplain

     Sgt. Wilson was born December 9, 1930 a, at Idaho Falls, Idaho. He came to Goldendale in 1941, where he had since made his home.
     Survivors include, his father, Jack Wilson of Gresham, Oregon; his mother, Mrs. Louise Wilson of Idaho Falls; five sisters, Mrs. Don Miller, Mrs. Barbara Waters, both of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Miss Downata Wilson, Anita Wilson and Dixie Lou Wilson, all of Gresham, Oregon; two brothers, Dick and Jack, jr., also of Gresham, Oregon; his grandmother, Mrs. Louise Wilson. Aunts and uncles are Mrs. Kate Dove, Mr. and Mrs. Logan Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Jess Wilson, all of Goldendale.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer