★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★
ENS William Wilson '60 was lost on this day in 1961 when he was swept overboard of USS Redfin (SS 272) while serving as officer of the deck.
A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Bill's Lucky Bag entry read: "No one chose a more difficult means of acquiring an education than Bill when he came to the Naval Academy via the Fleet. While Bill studies hard during the week, he never lets academics interfere with any of his extracurricular activities. Many afternoons of hard work with wrestling and track have given him a fine reputation as an athlete to complement his reputation as a talkative sailor from St. Petersburg. This handsome sandblower's most admirable trait is his most obvious — he is always ready with a helping hand."
He was a fleet appointee to the Naval Academy, having earned his enlisted dolphins after joining the Navy in 1953.
A shipmate of his remembers: "On a personal basis, I had come to know Mister Wilson as a very congenial individual. He had a positive attitude and all the traits of a great Naval officer. He seemed to have time to chat when he came to the torpedo room for one reason or another. Mister Wilson rapidly gained the respect of the enlisted personnel during the short period he was onboard. He had a constant military bearing about himself. I would always go to the bridge after meals and when Mister Wilson had the bridge, I always enjoyed conversations with him. I went on to retire from the Navy and served in combat in country Vietnam. In the saddest corner of my heart I will always have a place for William H. Wilson, Ens. U.S. Navy."
Bill was survived by his wife, Eva, and his parents.
To Honor! ⚓
https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WILLIAM_H._WILSON,_ENS,_USN