Mr. Robert E. Wilson
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969

Brigadier General Robert Wilson, former Assistant Adjutant General for Army, State of Indiana, compiled distinguished careers both in the military and as a civilian. Brigadier General Wilson passed away July 27, 2008.
Born in Indianapolis December 3, 1923, he attended Pleasant Run Grade School, Warren Central Junior High, Tech High School and Indiana University. Living in the country he began playing basketball on the 6th grade team beginning in the 2nd grade and continued through out his schooling. He became captain and leading scorer in high school his senior year. In his spare time he became an eagle scout and an avid golfer. While at Indiana University he became the teams #2 man on the golf team.
General Wilson enlisted in the Army Reserve in September 1942 while a student at Indiana University. Called to active duty in 1943 he completed basic infantry training at Camp Walters Texas and was selected to join the cadre and assist in training new recruits. During this assignment he was promoted to corporal and ultimately sent to Europe in early 1944, joining the 9th infantry division in southern France. He was assigned to an infantry platoon and issued a bazooka. Casualties were an almost daily concern and he began moving upward in the platoon organization, as he became an assistant heavy machine gunner, then gunner, squad leader, section leader, platoon sgt. and platoon leader. During the ten months of combat he received a number of decorations and a commission as 2nd Lt. Infantry.
Returning to the states as a 1st Lieutenant in the spring of 1946, he joined the Army reserve until 1950 when he began his distinguished service as an Indiana National Guardsman. He started as a company executive officer and progressed steadily to positions of greater responsibility - Company Commander, Regimental Operations Officer, Regimental Executive Officer, Battalion Commander, Brigade Executive Officer, Battle Group Commander, 38th Division Chief of Staff, Commander 76th Brigade, Assistant Adjutant General for Army and Commander Separate Command - retiring in 1975
During this time he attended numerous schools in many different states including the Advanced Infantry Officers course at Ft. Benning, Georgia 1954 and the U.S., Army Command and General Staff College at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas 1960.
General Wilson's decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star w/cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Belgium Fourragere, American Theater, European Theater w/4 Battle Stars, Distinguished Unit Badge w/2 clusters, World War II Victory Medal, World War II Occupational Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Indiana Distinguished Service Medal, Indiana Commendation Medal w/cluster, Indiana Long Service Medal w/25 year service, 151 st Infantry Cross, Cold War Victory Commemorative medal, U.S. Commemorative Medal and the Indiana Legion of Heroes.
In civilian life General Wilson was co owner of Sheridan Hardware, sales representative for Hardware Wholesalers Ft. Wayne, field secretary for Indiana Retail Hardware Association, first manager of Eastgate Shopping Center and spent 28 years as sales representative and vice president Sales for Business Furniture Corporation, Indianapolis.
During the years he has been active member of following organizations; Board of Directors - Sales/Marketing Executives Indianapolis, Past President Indiana Chapter Association of U.S. Army, Past President Indiana National Guard Association, Past President Y's men's association YMCA, "I" men's Association Indiana University, Eagle Scout, Firecrafters - Boy Scouts of America, Skull & Crescent Sophomore Honorary Indiana University, Sigma Nu Fraternity, Indiana University, Board of Directors Foxcliff Golf Club.
General Wilson is married to Coleen Wilson and has three children and two grandsons. His oldest son Robert Mark Wilson, Professor Economics University of Florida, daughter Ann, manager dance studio, Washington, D.C. and Scott Wilson - St. Vincent Hospital, Carmel Indiana .
Services for General Wilson with full military honors will be held at 3:00 pm Friday August 1, 2008 in Crown Hill Funeral Home. Public visitation will be from 2:00-3:00 pm in the funeral home. Entombment will be in the Field of Valor of Crown Hill Cemetery.

Tributes