Posted by Ren Hart on July 27, 2010:

Ernest B. Wilson 1932-2009 Ernest Bailey Wilson, '56, born November 6th 1932 in Ft. Meade, Maryland, the son of the late Colonel and Mrs. Carlisle Wilson, Class of 1915, as part of a class that included General of the Armies, Bradley and Eisenhower. Ernie was born in the Army and lived in and for the Army for 77 years. He was preceded in death by his brother, Carlisle Wilson of San Francisco, CA. He is survived by his brother, Nicholas Wilson of Columbus, Ohio, his former wife and mother of his three eldest daughters, Patricia Doll-Fallstrom of California, 4 daughters; Nancy Jennings of Etiwanda, CA; Jennifer Grove of Frederick, MD; Tracy Flansburg of Star, ID; his adopted daughter, Lindsey Wickenheiser of Newport Beach, CA, several cousins, nieces and nephews and 8 grandchildren. During his early years his parents were stationed at Fort Benning, GA, Presidio of San Francisco and Yokohama where he attended High School. In 1951 he entered the Air Force with the purpose of attending the US Army Prep School at Stewart AFB, Newburg, NY in 1951. In July 1952 he entered West Point with about a hundred of his Prep School classmates. Ernie's years at West Point were marked by devotion to his classmates and a will to succeed. He was motivated by his Father's classmate, GEN Omar Bradley, who visited West Point while Ernie was a plebe. He spoke to Ernie about his academic efforts, saying, "You know Ernie, those cadets who float through West Point with ease, often don't amount to a hill of beans. You keep at it." As well as fighting his way through academics, Ernie also lettered in Boxing in the Light Heavy Weight Division and was selected as a runner up in the All Easter Boxing Division Championship. During his Yearling Year he was selected from Company M-2, to serve as class rep on the Honor Committee and was recognized in his First Class year for selection to Officer Rank to serve as Company Platoon Leader. When Ernie graduated from West Point in 1956 he was commissioned in the Infantry, "The Queen of Battle" and attended the Basic Infantry Officer's Course at Fort Benning, GA before his first assignment to Japan and shortly thereafter to the 1st Cav Division in Korea as a Platoon Leader. After Korea, he was assigned to Fort Campbell, first as an Aide de Camp and then commanding a company in the 101st Airborne Division. In 1961 he returned to Fort Benning to attend the Infantry Officer Advance Course with about 80 of his classmates and following graduation was selected to serve at West Point as an instructor in Military Psychology and Leadership from 1964 to 1967. He was clearly on a career path showing great promise. It was during this period Ernie married Pat Doll, from California, the mother of their three daughters. In 1967, Ernie was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, "Rivereen Force" in the Delta Area of Vietnam. As Battalion S-3 he was closely involved in day to day operations against an armed and hostile enemy. It was during one of these operations that Ernie was awarded the Silver Star ... "While serving as Acting Battalion Commander of the 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry, during a reconnaissance in force mission south of Can Tho, Vietnam. While observing the battle proceedings from his command and control helicopter, Major Wilson continuously braved the hail of highly accurate rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire to direct artillery and gun ships against the enemy force. As a result of his accurate direction, his heavily engaged companies were able to advance on the insurgents. After directing the pilot to land and extract a wounded soldier from a small landing zone, Major Wilson remained on the ground with his artillery liaison officer and continued to direct the companies in battling the enemy force. He remained in the battle area throughout the night and through his courageous actions the enemy force was routed." During his distinguished 22 year career, he earned many additional honors including the coveted Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, the Army Commendation Medal, two Bronze Stars for Valor, and an Air Medal. In 1968 he served as the Director of Doctrine at Ft. Belvoir before being selected to attend the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Following Graduation from C&GSC he was assigned to USARPAC, Hawaii, serving first as the Executive Officer for LTG Rossen and then taking command of the Wolfhound Battalion in the 25th Infantry Division ... a battalion his father had served with 35 years earlier. His final assignment was at the Presidio of San Francisco where he had spent part of his boyhood. As the Infantry Coordinator for Region 9, he was responsible for oversight of all Reserve Infantry Units in the 12 Western States. Ernie's talents were not limited to his leadership role in the Army. He was an accomplished artist who will be always be remembered by his company mates for his inspired rendering of each M-2 classmate in a head and shoulder portrait which he had reproduced on to a company M-2 beer mug. In later years he created a scale model of his first home in Paradise Cay and an eight foot papier-mache model of the Central Area Clock at West Point which was used for many years at the Presidio of San Francisco, Founders' Day Celebrations. In 1977 Ernie retired from the Army and started a new career in Real Estate at Coldwell Banker's "Castle" in Greenbrae. As a Real Estate Broker/Agent, he specialized in selling properties in Paradise Cay where he lived and served as president of the Home Owners Association. He retired again after 15 successful years. Ernie enjoyed sailing, driving his TR 6 Sports Car, walking his dog Skippy and cheering for his favorite football teams, Army, Ohio State and Boise State. Ernie died Sunday, Nov. 15th, 2009 at his home in Novato, CA, after a long battle with cancer. At his Arlington Funeral, his classmate Harry Crandall, conducting the service said, "This is the Ernie Wilson I knew ... the great big friendly bear of a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest. An Army brat, like many of us, who moved with family every two or three years whether he needed to or not ... who continued this nomadic life after graduation. We also remember that we are saying farewell to an honored soldier who served his country well. A holder of the Combat Infantry Badge, the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for valor and a fellow Screaming Eagle from our earliest days in the Army". He will be fondly remembered by his classmates for his courageous life, delightful laugh, and as the teller of wonderful stories. His life was inexorably intertwined with West Point and the Army and dedicated to duty, honor and country. His passing is a great loss to all who knew and loved this wonderful man. Ren

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