HBTV 5 & HBTV.us - News & Information!
HBTV 5 & HBTV.us - News & Information!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
MSG SILAS WILSON, HOME AT LAST
Korean War Soldier Laid to Rest,
Master Sgt. Silas W. Wilson
 
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Master Sgt. Silas W. Wilson, U.S. Army, of Upshaw, AL, was assigned to M Company, 3rd Battalion of the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. In November 1950, his unit engaged in heavy fighting in and around their Command Post during the battle for Unsan, North Korea. On Nov. 2, the battalion became entrapped  in their positions and most of the able bodied escaped, leaving the wounded behind. Wilson was among the wounded taken as a prisoner of the Chinese and North Korean forces.  On Nov. 16, 1950, at age 31, Wilson died from enemy action.
aa
In 2004, a Recovery Team excavated a burial near the North Korean town of Chonsung-Ni. After forensic anthropological and odontological examination and mitochondrial DNA testing, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command's Central Identification Laboratory identified the remains of seven Soldiers of the 8th Cavalry Regiment, including Master Sgt. Wilson.

His remains will be returned to his daughter, Marie Cleghorn, of Arley, There will be a planeside ceremony Dec. 23 at Birmingham International Airport.  

Wilson is preceded in death by his wife, Lena Grace Nixon, who died in 1991. She never dated or remarried after his death. Wilson is survived by his daughter, Marie and five grandchildren: Leasa Quiles of Hampton, Ga.; Cynthia Nuss and Mark Wilson both of Addison, Bobby Cleghorn of Houston and Elizabeth Cain of Arley. He is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

"I am honored by the Army's work to return my daddy and it is a privilege for my family to be a part of this," Marie Cleghorn said. "This will be my first Christmas to have my daddy home." Cleghorn was 6 weeks old when her father died.
Funeral Services by Nichols Funeral Homes. See Funeral Announcements above.
Redstone Arsenal Public Affairs point of contact is Kim Henry (256) 842-0561, cell: (256)797-4974, or kimberly.henry2@us.army.mil.  

For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
HBTV.us • All Rights Reserved • 1318 21st Street • Haleyville • Alabama • 35565
HBTV.us
(205) 486-2984 • HBTV  Webmaster