By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
managing editor
KEYSER — Col. Jack R. Wilson II, ret., will be one of three persons inducted into the Keyser High School Legion of Honor during the annual banquet to be held Wednesday, April 8.
Sponsored by the J. Edward Kelley Society of Keyser, the Legion of Honor recognizes those graduates of Keyser High School who have gone on to distinguish themselves in their careers.
Wilson, a 1954 graduate of Keyser High who currently lives in Columbia, Md., retired as a colonel and director of the Human Resources U.S. Army Research Laboratory in 1988, after serving for 30 years. He then went into the Civil Service for a 17-year second career, bringing his service to the country to a total of 47 years.
Prior to entering the service, he attended Potomac State College, where he played football and was president of his freshman class. He was selected to the ROTC Academic Honorary Society, the Roth Honorary Society, and was a member of the Phi Sigma Nu men’s fraternity, among other organizations.
He graduated from Potomac State College in 1956.
At West Virginia University, he was selected to the ROTC Academic Honorary Society Scabbard and Blade, along with being selected as a member of the Sigma Theta Epsilon fraternity, serving as the fraternity’s secretary.
Upon graduation in 1958, he was designated a West Virginia University Distinguished Military Graduate, which afforded him an appointment as second lieutenant in the Reserve Army.
Wilson attended the Basic Officer Course at the Medical Field School and was initially assigned as platoon leader to the medical company of the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment, as well as detachment commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Third Squadron, Third Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
Wilson performed a variety of leadership and administrative duties until June 1963, when he attended the Army Medical Department Officer Career Course at Medical Field Service School.
He was assigned to the surgeon’s office, First United States Army Headquarters in Fort Jay, Governor’s Island, N.Y., as an AMEDD Officer personnel procurement counselor.
In 1967, he returned to WVU as a graduate student, earning a master’s degree in personnel management in 1969.
Following graduation, he was reassigned to the 68th Medical Group in Vietnam as adjutant and S-1.
Returning to the United States in 1970, Wilson was assigned to Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colo.,. where he served as chief, Military Personnel Branch, until July 1971.
After another series of leadership positions, Wilson returned to the United States in 1978 to attend the United States Army War College of Carlisle, Pa. After graduating from there, he was assigned to Washington, D.C., where he served consecutively as executive officer, deputy commander and achief of the Medical Service Corps Career Activities Office, U.S. Army Medical Department Personnel Support Agency, until 1983.
He retired as assistant chief of staff at Fort George G. Meade.
Over his career he has earned a number of citations and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service medal, Army Commendation medal, Army Achievement
medal, National Defense Service medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Vietnam Service medal, Army Service ribbon, and others.
He and wife Dolores have four children — Jack Robert Wilson III, Daniel Wilson, Karen Wayland, and Mark Wilson, and several grandchildren.
The Legion of Honor banquet gets underway with a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. at the Keyser VFW Post 3518.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $9 for children 12 years old and under, and may be purchased by calling Bob Dorsey at (304) 788-3520 or Ed Smith at (304) 788-0384.
Keyser, W.Va. —
