George J. Wilson Jr. of Bethlehem, Pa. passed away peacefully on July 2, 2007 while in the VNA Hospice of St. Lukes. He was born on March 11, 1924 and was the son of Helen and George J. Wilson Sr. of Easton, Pa. Wilson was business agent of Local 367, I.B.E.W. and, as such, was instrumental in making many redevelopment improvements within the city of Easton. He was also an entrepreneur who started the first successful furniture stripping franchise business in the country. Wilson owned, renovated and successfully operated a hotel property dating back to the 1800s before he went on to his next venture as president of his own construction company, where he remained for several years. He was a connoisseur of Tiffany glass and an avid collector of antiques. Although it was not known to many, Wilson was very knowledgeable in the opera, the arts and literature. George Wilson was best known and respected on a regional and national level for his work in helping veterans obtain benefits denied to them by the Veterans Administration. There was rarely a case not able to be tackled by Wilson. He dedicated himself to helping veterans and devoted the last 25 years of his life helping fellow veterans obtain benefits once denied by the federal government. In fact, he is one of the very few remaining World War II veterans who could serve as an attorney (in fact or advocate) representing veterans before the Veterans Administration or higher court. Wilson successfully passed all of the rigorous tests required to represent these specialized cases, and was more aware of the law than those in Washington, D.C. and often called upon for guidance by other counsel. He single-handedly and voluntarily secured several million dollars in benefits for veterans who had been previously denied by the government. The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart issued a statement praising Patriot George Wilson, calling him the strongest veterans advocate that any of us know or have known. Your successes in assisting veterans in their claims are legendary, and deservingly so. I dont think any of us can quantify the value of the benefits for having secured for our Nations veterans and their widows. You have truly made a mark on our community. He was often asked to speak at high schools about his service-connected experience and Wilsons advice to students was always the same. Do not be influenced by the romantic depictions of war presented on television, theaters, or listening to anyone who wants you to believe that war is heroic or glamorous in any way. Listen to, and respect, any veteran, who served in the defense of our country, to preserve your freedom. He will tell you that war is horrendous, too awful to describe, and should be avoided at all cost. If all of you young people of the world would decide that war is a thing of the past, there would be no more wars. Do everything you can to contribute to this by learning history and paying attention to politics, participating, if possible. Knowledge and courage are necessary attributes to making the world free from war. Freedom is precious, protect it! George Wilson enlisted in the United States Army on December 6, 1940. Only 16 years of age, he had to lie to get in. He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New York. This was prior to World War II when being a serviceman was not viewed as being an outstanding citizen, but as a free-loader who was living off the taxpayers. It was not until after Pearl Harbor, that citizens began to respect servicemen since they were now subject to the draft. Mr. Wilson participated in five major battles, including Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Severe fighting took place all across France, through the Normandy hedgerows, the Siegfried Line, Aachen, the Hurtgen Forest (Ardennes) and the Battle of the Bulge. The Bulge, started on December 16, 1944, was the last major offensive effort by Adolph Hitler, a very complex battle, it was the largest battle in the history of the United States. It was a horrible battle, involving over a million people, destroying tens of thousands of lives, covering hundreds of square miles and lasting 41 days. Mr. Wilson was wounded three times and was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and remained in prison camp until the end of the war. As a result of his wounds and disabilities, Mr. Wilson spent almost two years in a Veterans Administration Hospital. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal with two oak clusters, the European Theatre of Operations Medal with five battle stars, the Bronze Star, the French Normandy Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, the National Defense Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantrymans Badge. On March 21, 2003, Wilson went to the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., and gave his Normandy Medal back to the Country of France. This was done in protest to President Chiracs decision to veto a resolution to support a coalition of countries who were ready to declare war on Iraq. This decision was also out of respect for all of his friends who were killed on Omaha Beach and elsewhere during the liberation of France from Hitler. Mr. Wilson was a trustee for the Chapel of the Four Chaplains and was awarded the Legion of Merit for meritorious service to veterans. He served with the secret service during the administration of John F. Kennedy. He was a judge of arbitration for the National Center of Dispute Settlements, based in Dallas, Texas. He attended school in Easton and Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa., where he was accredited as a member of the minor judiciary in the State of Pennsylvania as a district justice. He completed courses at Northampton Community College and Penn State University. He was a life member in the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the AMVETS, Disabled Veterans of America (Commander 2002-2003), American Ex-Prisoners of War and the CombatVets organization. Mr. Wilson formed a corporation known as Society of War Prisoners, Ltd. All ex-prisoners of war are honorary members. He was a member of the Court of Appeals for the Veterans Bar Association having been admitted to the Court in 1990 in Washington, D.C. Survivors: Surviving are his wife, JoAnn; their five children, Kathleen, married to Peter Tomaino, of Forks Township, Pa., Colleen Wilson Kirchner of Annapolis, Md., Helene Easterday, married to Robert Henne, of New Tripoli, Pa., Geralene Wilson Bogart of Macungie, Pa. and George III, married to the former Marlee Moughan, residing in Freemansburg, Pa. His four grandsons are Dean Tomaino of North Edison, N.J., Thomas J. Kirchner and his wife, Jamie, of York, Pa., Brett Easterday and his wife, Lynette, of Allentown, Pa. and Aidan J. Wilson of Freemansburg; granddaughters, Tracy Fickes of Allentown, Ahnika Bogart of Macungie, Madison Shea Wilson of Freemansburg, Jodi Kalnas Magazzu of Ventnor, N.J., Samantha Henne of Paola, Kan.; a great grandchild, Brynn Easterday of Allentown. Wilson has two sisters, Frances Doyle of Bethlehem, Pa. and Margaret Leiby of Easton. Brothers, Robert and Thomas, preceded him in death. Many cousins, too numerous to mention, also live in the area. Services: Friends may call in the Morello Funeral Home Inc., 3720 Nicholas St., Palmer Township on Friday, July 6 from 6-9 p.m. and on Saturday, July 7 from 10-11 a.m. in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem. A Mass will follow at 11 a.m. in the church. Burial will be private in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Because Wilson was a highly decorated World War II veteran, he will be honored by military guard at his burial service, as well as at several additional veterans associations which are planning memorial services to be held in his honor at their respective organizations. The dates and times will be posted at a later time. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the children ask that memorials be made in George Wilsons memory to the Lehigh Valley Chapter 190 of the Order of the Purple Heart, to the attention of Acting Commander Chuck Jackson, 645 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA.

Published in Morning Call from July 4 to July 5, 2007