Wilkinson, Richard L. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Mr. and Mrs. Dorris Wilkinson, of near Waynetown, have been notified by the Department of the Army that the body of their son, Technical Sergeant Richard L. Wilkinson, has been returned from the European theater by the Army transport Barney Kirschbaum. Tech. Sgt. Wilkinson, who was serving with the 8th U. S. Air Force, was killed June 13, 1943, while on a bombing mission over Kiel, Germany. He was a radio operator and gunner on a B-17 bomber. Born June 11, 1918, on the farm where his parents still reside, Tech. Sgt. Wilkinson, who was known to his friends as "Dick", entered service in February, 1942. He was sent overseas in October, 1942, after being graduated from the gunnery school at Harlingen, Tex. Previous training was at Sheppard Field, Tex., and Scott Field, Ill. Tech. Sgt. Wilkinson made the trip overseas aboard the Flying Fortress "Chattanooga Choo-Choo," of which he was senior radio operator and gunner. Graduated from the Waynetown high school in 1936, Tech. Sgt. Wilkinson operated a cigar store and service station in Waynetown following his graduation. Citations and medals awarded the young airman included the Purple Heart, Air Medal, scroll signed by President Roosevelt, and a Citation of Honor signed by Gen. H. H. Arnold, commander of the Army Air Forces. Surviving, besides the parents, are a brother, Don Wilkinson, World War II Navy veteran; a grandfather, Allen E. Bard, of Waynetown; three aunts, Miss Carrie Bard and Miss Stella Bard, both of Waynetown, and Mrs. Steve Perry, of near Smartsburg, and an uncle, Dr. Arthur F. Wilkinson, of Detroit, Mich. -- kbz

Waynetown, July 6 - Tech. Sgt Richard L. Wilkinson of Waynetown previously reported "missing in action" on June 13 was killed in that engagement according to a telegram received Sunday morning by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Doris Wilkinson. The telegram dated July 3 at Washington DC from the adjutant general read: "Report now received from German Government through the International Red Cross that your son, Tech Sgt Richard L. Wilkinson who was previously reported missing since June 13 was Killed in Action June 13 in European area. The Secretary of War shares your grief and extends his deepest sympathy. Letter follows." "Dick" was born July 11, 1918 on the farm wher ehis parents, Doris and Lillian Wanetah Bard Wilkinson continue to reside about 5 miles southeast of Waynetown. After being graduated from Waynetown HS with the class of 1936, he began a business career by operating a cigar store and then a filling station at Waynetown; also with his brother, Don, a filling station in Crawfordsville under the name of Wilkinson Brothers. He attended Christian Union a country church near his home and was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Waynetown. He was inducted into war service Feb 20, 1942 and received his basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas. He was graduated from radio university at Scott Field, Ill Sept 13, 1942 and received his silver wings as an aerial gunner at Harlington, Texas where he was graduated from the Army Gunnery School Oct 28, 1942. He flew across on the B-17 Flying Fortress, Chattanooga Choo-Choo, of which he was senior radio operator and gunner. As accurately as the family knew he left the states April 9 this year and had been somewhere in England with the Army Air Corps. Besides his parents and his brother, Don, 3rd Class Machinist Mate at US Naval Air Station, Bunker Hill, his survivors include his grandparents, Allen E. Bard of Waynetown and George Wilkinson, 112 Simpson Street, Crawfordsville; three aunts, Miss Carrie Bard and Miss Stella Bard, Waynetown and Mrs. Steve Perry, near Smartsburg and one uncle, Dr. Arthur P. Wilkinson, eye, nose and ear specialist, Detroit, Mich. Don Wilkinson and his wife, who is employed in Crawfordsville were home Sunday with his parents; also a cousin, Paul Redmond with is wife and baby, of Flora, Mr. Bard and the Misses Bard were at the grief stricken home Sunday. -- kbz