COMMENTS & NOTES
MEMO 1:
CREW
2ND LT CHARLES W. WILSON P CPT 15 APR 45 ROYAN sn# O-526414
2ND LT JAMES M. HARBISON CP CPT 04 APR 45 KIEL (Pilot of Lt Dewey Crew) sn# 0-775881
F/O JACK BERKOWITZ NAV POW 31 DEC 44 HAMBURG (WITH MacNAB)
2ND LT RAYMOND E. COMER, JR. BOM POW 31 DEC 44 HAMBURG (WITH MacNAB) sn# 0-777438
CPL EMERY N. CASTLE ROG FEH sn# 37523614
CPL NORMAN G. NANCE TTE FEH sn# 19171578
CPL JAY D. KENDELL BTG FEH sn# 39908662
CPL GEORGE L. PESLER WG CPT 24 MAR 45 STEENEIJK/ ZIEGENHAINE sn# 35051164
CPL ARCHIE E. HOFFPAUIR WG FEH sn# 38266722
CPL JACK R. DeBORDE TG FEH sn# 39615579
350th Sqdn. Crew, as above, joined the 100th Group on 29 Sep 44. In Jan of 1945 all the enlisted men were transferred to the Crew of Lt Raiford. This became a Lead Crew and is listed below along with missions.
See S.O.C. pg. 88/ 89 & pg 92 of "CONTRAILS". (see MEMO below)
MEMO
CHARLES W. "HONG KONG" WILSON
LEGENDARY 100TH PILOT KNOWN TO ALL 100TH VETERANS AS "HONG KONG",
DENOTING THE FACT HE WAS A PILOT FOR PHILIPPINE AIRLINES. JOINED
THE 100TH IN SEPEMBER 1944 AND REMAINED UNTIL THE END OF
HOSTILITIES. FLEW A B17G BACK TO THE STATES 2 JUN 45. HE IS
REMEMBERED BY THE FRENCH FOR FLYING FRENCH UNDERGROUND PERSONNEL
FROM CAPTIVITY AT LINZ, AUSTRIA TO THEIR HOMELAND ON 19 MAY 45. IN
THE FIFTIES "HONG KONG" WAS HONORED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
NETHERLANDS FOR PARTICIPATING IN OPERATION CHOW HOUND, THE AIR
DROPPING OF FOOD SUPPLIES TO THE DUTCH POPULATION IN EARLY MAY
1945.
LIFETIME MEMBER OF THE 100TH BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION WHO
PRESENTLY (1993) RESIDES IN TOMBALL, TX. HE HAS SERVED THE
ASSOCIATION IN SEVERAL OFFICES OVER MANY YEARS AND IS VICE
PRESIDENT, FINANCE AT PRESENT. "HONG KONG" WILSON IS ONE OF THE
100TH BEST KNOWN VETERANS AND IS HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM BY THE MEMBERS
OF THE 100TH. HIS MISSION LOG, WHICH INCLUDES THE TOUGH TARGETS OF
HAMBURG, BERLIN, MERSEBURG, RUHLAND AND OTHERS FOLLOWS:
MISSION LOG
Lt Charles "Hong Kong" Wilson Crew
DATE TARGET
15 OCT 44 COLOGNE
17 OCT 44 COLOGNE
19 OCT 44 LUDWIGSHAVEN & MANNHEIN, OIL REFINERY
26 OCT 44 HANOVER, TANK WRKS & MITBURG
30 OCT 44 MERSEBURG (RECALLED/ WEATHER)
02 N0V 44 MERSEBURG, OIL REFINERY
24 DEC 44 BABENHAUSEN, KAISERLAUTERN
25 DEC 44 KAISERLAUTERN
31 DEC 44 HAMBURG (flying lead, high squadron with Maj Harry Cruver)
06 JAN 45 ANNWEILER
10 JAN 45 COLOGNE
14 JAN 45 DERBEN
20 JAN 45 HEIBRON, MARSHALLING YARDS (ST) (LT WILSON TAKES OVER LT FOWLER CREW)
28 JAN 45 DUISBURG, BRIDGE
03 FEB 45 BERLIN, CITY
06 FEB 45 CHEMNITZ & ZWICKAU (TOWNS)
14 FEB 45 CHEMNITZ, CITY (100TH "A" & "B")
20 FEB 45 NURNBURG, CITY
21 FEB 45 NURNBURG, MARSHALLING YARDS (SECONDARY TARGET)
22 FEB 45 DONAUESCHINGEN, TOWN
24 FEB 45 BREMEN, RAIL BRIDGE
26 FEB 45 BERLIN, CITY
03 MAR 45 BRUNSWICK, MT FACTORY
04 MAR 45 ULM, MARSHALLING YARD (SECONDARY TARGET)
17 MAR 45 RUHLAND & PLAUEN
19 MAR 45 FULDA, LUTZKENDORF, & JENNA
21 MAR 45 RUHLAND & PLAUEN (LT WILSON LAST MISSION WITH LT FOWLER CREW)
22 MAR 45 ALHORN, AIR FIELD
23 MAR 45 MARBURG & UNNA
24 MAR 45 STEENWIJK/ HAVELTE & ZIEGENHAIN
07 APR 45 BUCHEN, OIL STORAGE
15 APR 45 ROYAN, GROUND DEFENSES
RCAF INFORMATION:
The following form contents were entered on 23rd Nov 1
Date = 23 Nov 1 19:18:37
subject = 100thBG Question Submission
messages = 286
email = wpf13@hotmail.com
uname = Wally P. Fydenchuk
comments = I'm researching U.S. citizens who enlisted in the RCAF prior to Pearl Harbor.
As your website lists, Lt Charlie Wilson, Lt Robert Pearson and Capt. Richard Carey, were ex RCAF Americans. Capt. Mark Carnell was another ex RCAF member. His RCAF service number was C 6873. He was a staff pilot at #4 Wireless School. He transferred to the USAAF May 1942. Two others also served/trained with RCAF MAGEE CHARLES FULLER, SERVICE NUMBER; R66199 Enlisted Niagara Falls 8-9-40 and Michael Garemko completed EFTS training (basic flight training) before transferring to the US Forces. Found another Lt Reginald Smith He graduated from No. 5 Service Flying Training School Brantford, Ontario.
Charles Winters Wilson
RCAF Service Number: R83327
RCAF Training
No. 6 Elementary Flying Training School
No. 10 Service Flying Training School
No. 32 General Recconaissance School
Operational Sgt. Pilot No. 31 Operational Training Unit
Discharged from the RCAF May 7, 1942
Yes, Mike I remember that story. It was best told when he was a hard drinker. He said that after the attack the oil slick looked RED!
In a message dated 11/6/2009 5:59:47 P.M. Central Standard Time, MPFaley writes:
Charlie told me a story once about his time in the RCAF. They were out doing costal patrol duty and he saw a big gray object in the water. Well he went in for the attack figuring it was a German U-Boat and plastered the target. Problem was it was not a U-Boat but a Whale!
Subj: hi mike
Date: 4/7/2002 1:46:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: WILSON4fxs
To: MPFaley
CC: CWVentures
\In answer to your IM last nite ----
I flew about 10 missions with the Billy Bittle crew (nav) then they made me lead crew and I flew captain with Various crews. Also flew as a so-called command-pilot, the rest of my tour which was at war's end. Flew a B-17 home as I was scared of water - got my job in the Philippine Air Lines on this trip.
On arrival Thorpe Abbotts I had 1800 plus hours in many types of WW11 aircrafts. checked out as a fort capt. when i was a sgt/pilot at sebring, fla. didn't know what to say to the General that checked me out. Just "Gear-up" Sir"!
After the Plauen Raid I flew lead or command to Amlhorn, UNNA, Steemwijk, Buchen, Point de Gaule and one other. Also several trips to bring back French pow's to Paris. Also show where I flew an L-4 around England.
This year while at Thorpe Abbotts, I'll get to fly with an English pal of mine who owns a P-51 - that will be fun. Will we see you in UK in June?
Cheers
Hongkong
MISSION MEMORIES OF LT HARBISON )mpf 2003):
19 NOV 44 OBSERVED MY 21ST BIRTHDAY BOMBING LUDWIGSHAVEN, GER. TOLD BROTHER WHO CAME TO VISIT FROM NEAR BY
96TH BG TODAY. I AM A MAN (LEGAL AGE) HE THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY.
31 DEC 44 HAMBURG-WAS ORDERED TO BE FORWARD CONTOL OFFICER (FORMATION OFFICER-mpf 2003) GLORIFIED TAIL GUNNER.
SEEMS THEY HAD A RULE THAT 8TH AF LEAD PLANES HAD TO HAVE A COMMISSIONED OFFICER-PILOT IN THE TAIL TO
TALK TO THE GENERAL (COMMAND PILOT). A NON-COM WOULDN'T DO EVEN IF MORE EXPERIENCED AT VIEW FROM THE
TAIL. RECEIVED CREDIT FOR FW190-I GUESS ONE OF A FEW B-17 PILOTS GETTING A FIGHTER KILL.
20 FEB 45 NURNBURG- FIRST MISSION AS FIRST PILOT
???????? ONE TRIP TOOK A ROUTE OVER THE ALPS, THEY WERE COVERED WITH SNOW. BEAUTIFUL BUT COLD. TEMPERATURE IN THE PLANE WAS MINUS 68 DEGREES F. I GOT A MILD CASE OF FROST BITE ON MY FEET-HEATED SUIT NOT TOO WARM. ANOTHER TRIP TOOK FLAK IN #2 ENGINE. BEGAN BURNING, FEATHERED ENGINE, FIRE TAPERED OFF, STILL SCARY. OIL QUIT PUMPING. DOVE & THE OIL FIRE WENT OUT. CAME HOME ON THE DECK (3 ENGINES). GUNNERS SHOT AT TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY.
ON AN EARLY MISSION, WHILE STILL A COPILOT FOR CHAS (HONG KONG) WILSON, A 500 LB BOMB HUNG UP AND CHAS SENT ENGINEER GUNNER BACK-DIDN'T GET IT OUT. SENT BOMBARDIER BACK-NO LUCK EITHER, SO CHAS SENT ME BACK TO TRY. I WAS ABLE TO KICK IT LOOSE. CHAS TRIED TOO GET ME A COMMENDATION BUT IT MUST HAVE BEEN A COMMON HAPPENING-NO ONE THOUGHT THAT MUCH ABOUT IT"
CREW
CREW FLYING AT END OF HOSTILITES
1st Lt George S.Fowler P FEH TAPS 1992
2nd Lt Harry F.McKnight CP FEH TAPS 1973
1st Lt Billy M.Bittle,Jr. N FEH TAPS 1991
F/0 Arnold L.Wimer B FEH
Cpl Reuben W.Erickson R FEH
Cpl Neil J.Norfolk WG FEH
Cpl Robert J.Kennedy BT FEH
Cpl John G.Marlowe TG FEH TAPS UNK
Cpl James M.McCullough TTE FEH
350th Sqdn. Crew,as above,joined the 100th Group
on 24/12/44.
T/Sgt James M. McCullough, SN# 35625702. Flew with both the 350th and 349th Squadrons.
Missions of T/Sgt James McCullough (mpf) along with comments:
1. 07/01/45 Cologne
2. 14/01/45 Derben
After the second mission with this crew, 1st Lt. Fowler was grounded and replaced by Lt Charles "Hong Kong" Wilson
3. 20/01/45 Heibron
4. 28/01/45 Duisberg
5. 03/02/45 BERLIN- A Toughie-over 9 hours in the air, no flak till target then all hell broke loose-plane on our left
had its left wing blown off--Lost Rosie and Marty-blew hell out of the center of Berlin. Lots of
holes in ship-plenty lucky.
6. 06/02/45 Chemnitz
7. 14/02/45 Chemnitz
8. 20/02/45 Nurnburg
9. 21/02/45 Nurnburg
10. 22/02/45 Donaueschingen
11. 24/02/45 Bremen
12. 26/02/45 BERLIN
13. 03/03/45 Brunswick
14. 04/03/45 Ulm
15. 17/03/45 Plauen
16. 19/03/45 Jena
17. 21/03/45 Plauen-Hit Dead Center-not much flak-fighters hit us twice-ME262's-came to damn close-15 ft over the ship-got
our two wingmen-we didn't get them-dammit-rough mission.
Lt Charles Wilson leaves crew at this point and T/Sgt James McCullough is transferred to 349th Sqdrn Crew of 2nd Lt Joe King.
ENLISTED MEN FROM HK WILSON ORIGINAL CREW JOIN LT RAIFORD'S CREW IN JAN 1945
Lt Raifords Lead Crew after Jan 1945:
Lt David G. Raiford Lead Pilot
Lt Robert Wendling Co-Pilot/Formation Officer
Capt Ross Chenney Lead Navigator (from original crew of Lt Armstrong)
2nd Lt Charles J. Scott moved up to Lead NAV (FEH) (from original crew of Lt McNab)
1st Lt Douglas S. Eden moved up to Lead BOM (FEH) (from original crew of Lt McNab) sn# 0-1997861
1st Lt Paul R.Ruth,Jr. Lead Bombardier (from original crew of Lt Fellows)
2nd Lt Harry Tennenbaum Mickey Operator (from Lt Shaddix original Crew)
1st Lt Earl Frye Radar/Nav (flew with Lt Seamans lead crew and Assigned Group Radar Officer on 8 Apr 1945)
2nd Lt James M. Pivonka Mickey Operator (from Lt Dawson Crew)
ENLISTED MEN ARE FROM LT CHARLES "HONG KONG" WILSON'S CREW.ASSIGNED TO LT RAIFORD BEGINNING OF JAN 1945.
T/Sgt EMERY N. CASTLE ROG FEH sn# 37523614
T/Sgt NORMAN G. NANCE TTE FEH sn# 19171578
Sgt JAY D. KENDELL BTG FEH moved to WG when became Lead Crew sn# 39908662
Sgt GEORGE L. PESLER WG CPT 24 MAR 45 STEENEIJK/ ZIEGENHAINE sn# 35051164
Sgt ARCHIE E. HOFFPAUIR WG FEH Transferred to 15th Air Force when became lead Crew sn# 38266722
S/Sgt JACK R. DeBORDE TG FEH flew 10 missions as formation officer. sn# 39615579
Missions of S/Sgt Jack Deborde with Lt Raiford Crew/Lead Crew
06 JAN 45 ANNWEILER
10 JAN 45 COLOGNE
14 JAN 45 DERBEN
28 JAN 45 DUISBURG
03 FEB 45 BERLIN
06 FEB 45 CHEMNITZ
21 FEB 45 NURNBURG
24 FEB 45 BREMEN
26 FEB 45 BERLIN
03 MAR 45 BRUNSWICK
10 MAR 45 DORTMUND
11 MAR 45 HAMBURG
14 MAR 45 HANOVER
17 MAR 45 PLAUEN
19 MAR 45 JENA
22 MAR 45 ALHORN
28 MAR 45 HANOVER
31 MAR 45 BAD BERKA
09 APR 45 MUNICH
15 APR 45 ROYAN
17 APR 45 AUSSIG
www.HongKongWilson.com
Charlie "Hong Kong" Wilson went to be with the Lord on January 11, 2013.
Thank you for the memories and your friendship.
The Wilson Family
Charles Winters Wilson, affectionately known as "Hong Kong", has Gone West on January 11, 2013. Charlie was born June 9, 1921, in Dublin, Texas and spent his youth in Ft. Worth, Texas. At age 19, Charlie was eager to become a pilot. The fastest way into flight school was to hitchhike to Canada and join the Royal Canadian Air Force. He trained with the RCAF and became a Sergeant Pilot. After the attack on Pearl Harbor and with the United States now engaged in World War 2, Sergeant Pilot Wilson transferred into the United States Army Air Corps. Soon he became a commissioned officer and command pilot of the B17 Flying Fortress. He went on to fly 28 missions with the famed 100th Bomb Group, 350th squadron, out of Thorpe Abbotts, England. After his combat missions, he participated in Operation Chowhound, the dropping of food supplies to the hungry people of Holland. Additionally, he was most proud of flying French POW's out of Linz, Austria back to Paris, France. In doing so, he is remembered for buzzing the Eiffel Tower upon returning the POW's. Charlie separated from the military in Manila, Philippines. He spent the next ten years building and flying for Philippine Airlines. He is noted for flying the historic first DC6 revenue flight eastbound across the Pacific from the Philippine Islands to San Francisco, California. His next flying duty was a three year contract developing Ethiopia Airlines in east Africa. 21 additional years were spent flying for Transco Company in Houston, Texas. Captain Wilson accumulated over 23,000 flight hours throughout his lifetime in aviation. He flew airplanes ranging from the Tiger Moth, the DC3, 4 & 6, P38, P51, to the Lear, Falcon Jet and numerous other aircraft. It was during his flying days with Philippine Airlines that Charlie Wilson met a stunning Filipino flight attendant, Consuelo Taylor. They married and while living in Manila, Charlie and Connie were blessed with two daughters and one son. Upon returning stateside, in 1958 another son was born. Left to cherish the wonderful memories and colorful stories of Charlie Wilson is his loving, beautiful and devoted wife of 65 years Connie Taylor Wilson, daughter Cindy and husband Dan Gayle, daughter Cheryl and husband Rick Whitfield, son Cary and wife Stephanie and son Curtis and wife Eva. Along with 9 granddaughters, 8 great grandchildren, many loving and caring neighbors and lifelong friends scattered about the world. Charlie and Connie were twenty year residents and members of Champions Golf Club. They have resided in Lakeway Texas since 1995. The Wilson Family is pleased to have the following friends of "Hong Kong" as his honorary pallbearers: Joe Birdwell, Gene Cernan, Charlie Duke, Mike Faley, Steve Germick, Bob Halcro, John Hunt, Richard Gibson, Dr. Norman Graham, Dr. Mark Nugent, John Schmidt and Bobby Spear. www.HongKongWilson.com John 14:2 Memorial gifts may be made to the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Foundation, www.100thBG.com. The Lakeway Church www.lakewaychurch.org , or a charity of your choice. The funeral service will be 12:30PM, Friday, January 25, 2013 at Klein Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Houston National Cemetery. The family request as many as possible attends the committal service at Houston National Cemetery.
Charles Winters Wilson, affectionately known as "Hong Kong", has Gone West on January 11, 2013. Charlie was born June 9, 1921, in Dublin, Texas and spent his youth in Ft. Worth, Texas.
At age 19, Charlie was eager to become a pilot. The fastest way into flight school was to hitchhike to Canada and join the Royal Canadian Air Force. He trained with the RCAF and became a Sergeant Pilot.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor and with the United States now engaged in World War 2, Sergeant Pilot Wilson transferred into the United States Army Air Corps. Soon he became a commissioned officer and command pilot of the B17 Flying Fortress. He went on to fly 28 missions with the famed 100th Bomb Group, 350th squadron, out of Thorpe Abbotts, England. After his combat missions, he participated in Operation Chowhound, the dropping of food supplies to the hungry people of Holland. Additionally, he was most proud of flying French POW's out of Linz, Austria back to Paris, France. In doing so, he is remembered for buzzing the Eiffel Tower upon returning the POW's.
Charlie separated from the military in Manila, Philippines. He spent the next ten years building and flying for Philippine Airlines. He is noted for flying the historic first DC6 revenue flight eastbound across the Pacific from the Philippine Islands to San Francisco, California. His next flying duty was a three year contract developing Ethiopia Airlines in east Africa. 21 additional years were spent flying for Transco Company in Houston, Texas.
Captain Wilson accumulated over 23,000 flight hours throughout his lifetime in aviation. He flew airplanes ranging from the Tiger Moth, the DC3, 4 & 6, P38, P51, to the Lear, Falcon Jet and numerous other aircraft.
It was during his flying days with Philippine Airlines that Charlie Wilson met a stunning Filipino flight attendant, Consuelo Taylor. They married and while living in Manila, Charlie and Connie were blessed with two daughters and one son. Upon returning stateside, in 1958 another son was born.
Left to cherish the wonderful memories and colorful stories of Charlie Wilson is his loving, beautiful and devoted wife of 65 years Connie Taylor Wilson, daughter Cindy and husband Dan Gayle, daughter Cheryl and husband Rick Whitfield, son Cary and wife Stephanie and son Curtis and wife Eva. Along with 9 granddaughters, 8 great grandchildren, many loving and caring neighbors and lifelong friends scattered about the world. Charlie and Connie were twenty year residents and members of the Champions Golf Club. They have resided in Lakeway, Texas since 1995.
The Wilson Family is pleased to have the following friends of "Hong Kong" as his honorary pallbearers: Joe Birdwell, Gene Cernan, Charlie Duke, Mike Faley, Steve Germick, Bob Halcro, John Hunt, Richard Gibson, Dr. Norman Graham, Dr. Mark Nugent, John Schmitt and Bobby Spear.
www.HongKongWilson.com ~ John 14:2
Memorial gifts may be made to the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Foundation, www.100thBG.com . The Lakeway Church www.lakewaychurch.org , or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements: Friday January 25, 2013
12:30 Klein Funeral Home. 16131 Champions Forest Dr. Houston (Klein) TX 77379
2:30 Houston National Cemetery. 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77038
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cards to: Connie Wilson
146 Double Eagle Dr.
Austin, TX 78738
*************************************************************************************************************
after the garbage man described his plan to start a lawn business once he could afford a mower, Charles Winters Wilson walked into the garage of his Houston home.
His daughter, Cheryl Whitfield, remembers Wilson pulled out his own mower and said, "Here. This is yours."
Friends and family remember Wilson, who died Jan. 11 at the age of 91, as a generous World War II veteran who led by quiet example and easily made friends, whether the person collected trash or walked on the moon.
The family is hosting a memorial 12:30 p.m. Friday at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest. It will be followed by Wilson's 2:30 p.m. burial at Houston National Cemetery, where friends will share stories about the father, bomber pilot and prankster who, even in old age, loved to toss firecrackers at friends.
Wilson and pro golfer Jimmy DeMaret once told Gene Cernan, the last astronaut on the moon, during a trip to a West Texas ranch that they'd show the Chicago boy a real coyote. Warning him of the danger, they made coyote calls into the dark.
"They said, 'Quiet, quiet!' and we heard a crunch, crunch in the grass," said Cernan, recalling his excitement.
They turned on the spotlight, and there stood two horses.
"He always likes to play gotchas, a little trick on ya," Cernan said. "He's not a celebrity, but he is a great friend to a lot of people and that's probably a lot more important."
Inspired his children
As a teen eager to become a World War II pilot, Wilson hitchhiked from Texas with $10 to join the Royal Canadian Air Force.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps to pilot a B-17 Flying Fortress out of England on bombing runs over Germany. He stuck around after the conflict to drop food into Holland and fly French prisoners home from Austria, flying so close to the Eiffel Tower it buzzed.
His family called it a playful signal that the POWs were home safe. Years later as a commercial pilot, he would fly just above the pine trees in the family yard on his return into Hobby Airport.
"So we knew he was going to be home in about an hour," Whitfield said.
She said her father's military service inspired her to organize the National Memorial Ladies, a volunteer group that attends every funeral at Houston National Cemetery so no soldier is buried alone. Every day, more than 700 World War II veterans die nationwide, according to the Veterans Affairs department.
After leaving the service, Wilson flew for Philippine Airlines, including their first revenue flight across the Pacific to San Francisco. He met his wife, Connie, a reserved stewardess, and they started a family in the Philippines before moving to Africa to help develop Ethiopian Airlines.
Somewhere along the way, he earned the nickname, "Hong Kong."
Cary, his oldest son, said his father could "walk into a room with 20 people and 20 minutes later leave with 20 new friends." Yet he was humble, preferring to tell stories about others rather than himself.
He rarely mentioned that he and DeMaret helped start The Legends of Golf tournament, known today as the Champions Tour.
"He was never much for fanfare," youngest son Curtis Wilson said.
Military memories
Although the Wilson family had known Travis Allison's family since he was a boy, Allison likes to say he first met "Hong Kong" in the summer of 2002.
Allison, unsure about his future, returned to the family car business after graduating from A&M University. He ran into the 80-year-old Wilson and soon they were having lunch daily.
"When I was in school, 9/11 had happened," Allison, 32, explained. "I kind of felt a weight on myself to maybe do something to serve my country."
So he asked Wilson about his time in the service.
"He used to tell me all the time that his buddies in the military, those were his best friends," Allison said. "We started talking when he was in his 80s. It just showed you that it was a bond no one could take away from him."
When Allison, now a Navy Top Gun instructor, was commissioned as an officer, Wilson flew to Florida to perform the ceremony himself.
"I've received several cards from men in their 40s and 50s who say he gave them the father-son talk," Curtis Wilson said. "Hong Kong was the kind of guy who believed at no matter what age you were you could make your dreams become realities."
Wilson is survived by his wife, Connie, 87, of Lakeway; daughter Cindy, 64, and husband Dan Gayle of Austin; daughter Cheryl, 63, and husband Rick Whitfield of Houston; son Cary, 58, and wife Stephanie Wilson of Friendswood; and son Curtis, 54, and wife Eva Wilson of Lakeway, as well as 17 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.************************************************************************
Curtis Wilson
To say my dad's funeral was just another funeral would be the understatement of the decade. It was an Epic event!
I write this not to brag, but to simply report the tribute that occurred Friday, January 25.
The day prior to Hong Kong's service this item showed up in the Houston Chronicle newspaper. http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Obituary-Hong-Kong-Wilson-91-remembered-as-4218724.php
Friday was clear skies and 80 degrees. It felt like summer! Slightly over 300 people showed up to celebrate my Dad's life. It was truly fantastic. A large military presence and eulogies of a remarkable life. The Pastor who performed the service, was the husband of one of Hong Kong's granddaughters. There were over 50 Patriot Guard Riders, a 21 Gun Salute, presentations by the leaders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and presentations by the National Memorial Ladies. The Randolph AFB, San Antonio, Honor Guard doing the flag fold, and flag presentation to my Mother. A 20 minute break for all attending to visit with each other and my Mother, was followed by a B17 Flying Fortress with two pass flyover. Then came a four ship Stearman bi-plane Missing Man formation flight.
The military and attendees regrouped and a foot procession over to the Columbarium with the Urn proceeded as a Bagpiper, in full regalia, proudly played Amazing Grace. All granddaughters and great grandchildren released 12 white doves. My mother and Capt. Marvin L. Chase placed my Dad's urn in the niche. Rev. Daniel said a few closing words.
All this was followed by two large bottles of Crown Royal being poured into shot glasses and a few toasts made to Charlie "Hong Kong" Wilson. Dad was smiling down and happy not nary a drop of whisky remained in those bottles!
Dad, Mission accomplished.
MEMO 2:
