Class of August 1917

(Josephus Benjamin Wilson, Born March 28, 1897.)

Military History. — Cadet at the Military Academy, July 1, 1914, to Aug. 30, 1917, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

Second Lieut., 11th Infantry.

First Lieut., 11th Infantry, Aug. 30, 1917.

Served: At Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., with regiment, Oct. 9, 1917, to April 14, 1918; at Camp Merritt, N. J., with 15th Machine Gun Battalion, April 16 to 24, 1918; en route to France with this Battalion, April 24 to May 2, 1918, and with it in France until in the Argonne Forest in front of Sedan he was

Killed in Action, Oct. 15, 1918: Aged 21.

Awarded posthumously

Distinguished Service Cross.

"For extraordinary heroism in action near Cunel, France, October 12, 1918. He skillfully led a portion of his company through a terrific hostile barrage, establishing them in shell holes, where the guns were set up. He then returned through the same barrage and, assembled his reserve platoon, started in the direction of the enemy, but while leading his men to the attack he was mortally wounded and died upon the field."

Portrait and obituary in Annual Report, Association of Graduates, for 1919.