Here are some photos and items relating to former major league baseball player Jimmie Wilson. Jimmie played baseball from 1923 to 1940 with the Phillies, Cardinals, and Reds. He managed the Phillies from 1934-1938 and the Chicago Cubs from 1941 to 1944. After retirement he moved to Bradenton, Florida and purchased an orange grove. He died of a sudden heart attack on May 31, 1947.
Jimmie's son, Robert J. Wilson was a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force and was declared Missing in Action, and later Killed in Action, on November 28, 1944 while serving with the 794th Bomber Squadron, 468th Bomber Group, of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a passenger aboard a B-29 Superfortress on a bomb practice run at Halliday Island, East India when the Superfortress caught fire and crashed attempting to return to base. His Army commendations include; Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He is a true American Hero and is remembered by the State of Ohio on HonorStates.org.
Pictured is Robert's Cadet Yearbook from 1944 where he attended the Army Air Force Training Academy, and some pictures from the book, to include a picture of Robert. There are also some photographs that tie the story together. The first picture showing Robert standing with another Officer is inscribed and autographed on the reverse by Jimmie Wilson. It reads "Best of Luck Always to Capt Wedding" and is signed Jimmie Wilson, Selina Wilson (Jimmie's wife) and Jane (Jimmie's daughter). The photo is also dated November 10, 1944, just 18 days before Robert was Killed in Action. I currently have this photo at PSA being classified and certified. The other photographs, circa early 1940's picture Jimmie with Robert (An official Army Air Force photo), Robert alone sitting in the bleachers of a ball park, a family photo picture, and a couple other photo's showing Robert.
Pretty tragic ending for this family and what a sacrifice.
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