Wilson, Captain John C.

Captain John C. Wilson

October 5, 1931 – January 7, 2025

Retired Capt. John C. Wilson, U.S. Marine Corps, 93, beloved husband of Mrs. Sharon “Sam” Woodruff Wilson and a true patriot and hero, entered into rest on Monday, January 7, 2025, in the comfort of his home. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Johnna Lisa Wilson.

John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the tender age of sixteen. Following boot camp, his first deployment, at seventeen, was to China to attempt to keep peace between the communists in the North and the free people of the South. The United States soon realized this was impossible and removed the Marines from China.

His second deployment was to Korea, where he fought in the famous “Chosin Reservoir Battle” for three weeks in subzero temperatures. Following a brief assignment back in the States, he was again deployed to Korea. During this deployment, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart Medal for his sacrifice and service to our country.

In 1967, John served his first deployment to Vietnam. During this assignment, for his leadership, he received a Battlefield Commission to 2nd Lt. He was wounded during the Battle of Plains. For this action, he received his second purple heart. His last deployment in 1968 was back to Nam again, where he fought in the famous Battle of Khe Sanh. John’s lifelong desire was to be a Company Commander, and he was promoted to Captain to fill that empty position. During the Khe Sanh Battle, he was wounded and was awarded his third Purple Heart.

After twenty-five years of honorable service to our country, John retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1973. Our country is forever grateful for men like John Wilson, where valor and sacrifice are a common virtue.