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View a eulogy for Franklin Loeb Wilson, USMA '51, who passed away on July 16, 2012.

Franklin Loeb Wilson

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J>A> "Andy" Chacon on July 30, 2012:

Franklin Loeb Wilson

Born December 22 1928 -- Died July 16, 2012


Franklin Loeb "Bud" Wilson was born in Columbus, Ohio on 22 December 1928 and was appointed to West Point from the 12th Congressional District.

His West Point classmates recall: "Bud, a redheaded representative of the Buckeye State, moved at full speed almost constantly. Because his free time was taken up with 100th Nite Chorus work, athletics, or imitating Sonya Henie at Smith Rink, his daily letter to the girl back home was usually written by flashlight after taps. Having attended Ohio State before entering West Point, he gave the Academic Department little trouble." During his cadet days Bud went out for Wrestling plebe and yearling years and earned Numerals, was on the Chapel Choir as a plebe, with the Dialectic Society cow year, with Bugle Notes and the Camera Club cow and first class years, with the French Club yearling, cow, and first class years, with the Weight Lifting Club yearling and cow years, and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. On graduation Bud went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia as well as the Jump course, reported to the 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment from 1951 to 1952. Then he went to Korea with the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division and served until 1953. He was decorated with the Silver Star for distinguished gallantry in action, the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy, and the Combat Infantryman Badge on completion of his tour. On return to the States Bud then went to the Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1957 and earned his Army wings. In 1958 he attended the Advanced Infantry Course at The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia and on completing the course was assigned to the Staff & Faculty where he served until 1961. He was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service on completion of this tour. From 1961 to 1963 Bud served as Company Commander with the 35th Infantry Regiment and next he was appointed Executive Officer of the 25th Aviation Battalion where he served until 1965.

In 1966 Bud attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and earned a Masters of Military Art and Sciences degree as well. Next Bud went with the 17th Aviation Group and Headquarters, 1st Field Force Vietnam where he served until 1967. Bud was decorated with a second Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy, and an Air Medal for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight on completion of this tour. Next Bud was appointed Deputy Commanding Officer of the 10th Aviation Group where he served until 1968 when he was named Commanding Officer of the 37th Aviation Battalion. His next assignment was to Headquarters, 197th Brigade where he served until 1969 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation on completion of this duty. From 1970 to 1971 Bud served as Executive Officer, Office Assistant Vice Chief of Staff for Administration and was awarded a second Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. In 1972 Bud attended the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania and on completion was appointed to Office, Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served until 1975 and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services on completion of his duty.

Then from 1976 to 1978 Bud served as Professor of Military Science at the University of Connecticut on completion of which he accepted his last military assignment as a member of the Military Committee with North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Bud retired as a Colonel in 1981 on completion of this assignment and was decorated with the Joint Service Commendation Medal on completion of this his last duty. Bud and Louise made their home in Ashland, Oregon.

 
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