Donald Wilson was a United States Army Air Forces general during World War II. He was born on September 25, 1892 and died on June 21, 1978.
Donald Wilson Net Worth
Donald Wilson’s net worth is reported to be $1 million to $5 million at the time of his death.
He attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and then entered federal service with the Maryland National Guard in 1916. He was also a well-respected instructor at the Air Corps Tactical School.
During World War II, he served as Chief of the Personnel Division of the War Department General Staff. Wilson was also appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Fifth Air Force in 1942. In 1944, he returned to the United States and became the Assistant Chief of Staff, United States Army Air Forces for Organization, Commitments and Requirements.
He is a highly-regarded Command Pilot, Aircraft Observer, and Command Observer. He has two distinguished service medals.
Personal Life
Donald Wilson was born on September 25, 1892, at Hiner’s Mill in Pendleton County, West Virginia. His father is John Hamilton Wilson and his mother is Martha Jane Wilson (née Siple.) He is the third of seven children.
Donald attended the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and in 1910, he worked as a surveyor for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Professional Career
Donald Wilson first experienced military activities in 1915, when he attended the Citizens Military Training Camp at Saunders Range.
In February 1916, he enlisted as a private in the Maryland National Guard and was posted to Company H, 5th Maryland Infantry. He entered federal service on June 19, 1916 for service on the Mexican border. It was based at Eagle Pass, Texas. He served with the 5th Regiment from June 1916 to February 1917.
He entered federal service again in April 1917 when the 5th Maryland Infantry was called to active duty in Camp McClellan, Alabama. While in the camp, he applied for training as an aerial observer but was rejected.
He was promoted to first lieutenant on April 23, 1918. Wilson went to France in June 1918 with his infantry in the Vosges Sector until September of the same year.
He volunteered as an aerial observer with the Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces, and was assigned to Air Service Replacement Concentration Barracks at St. Maxient in France. He underwent training at the Field Artillery School at Camp de Souge, and at Air Service Observation School at Tours, France in November 1918.
Wilson became a part of the regular army in 1920 and reported to Headquarters Third Corps Area, Baltimore for temporary duty. He was later assigned as an instructor in the Air Service Observation School at Post Field, Fort Still, Oklahoma.
In January 1922, he went to Carlstrom FIeld, Florida for flying training. In June of the same year, he was assigned to Air Service Advanced Flying School At Kelly Field, Texas. He also became a student officer at Air Corps Tactical School.
Donal Wilson became Chief of Staff of the Fifth Air Force in 1942. In 1944, he became the Assistant Chief of Staff, United States Army Air Forces for Organization, Commitments and Requirements.
Was Donald Wilson Married?
Donald Wilson married Edna Taggert in Pittsburgh. They settled in Baltimore and had two children – Teresa Jane, and Donald.
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