[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   APPRECIATING CAPT. JOHN C. WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 14, 2025

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the Greatest Generation of 
survivors of the Great Depression and victors of World War II and the 
Cold War over communism is passing and another American Patriot to 
recognize is Captain John C. Wilson, USMC (Ret), of Jackson, South 
Carolina.
  His loving obituary has been published by the Aiken Standard:

       Retired Capt. John C. Wilson, U.S. Marine Corps, 93, 
     beloved husband of Mrs. Sharon ``Sam'' Woodruff Wilson and a 
     true patriot and hero, entered into rest on Monday, January 
     7, 2025, in the comfort of his home. He was preceded in death 
     by a daughter, Johnna Lisa Wilson.
       The family will greet friends on Monday, January 13, 2025, 
     at Matlock Baptist Church, 980 Main Street, Jackson, SC 
     29831, beginning at 1 o'clock, followed by a Celebration of 
     Life Service at 2 o'clock with Pastor Dale Reeves 
     officiating. The interment with full military honors accorded 
     by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard will follow in 
     Jackson Memorial Park, Jackson, South Carolina. James L. 
     Hammons Marine Corps League Detachment #939 members will be 
     honorary pallbearers.
       John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the 
     tender age of sixteen. Following boot camp, his first 
     deployment, at seventeen, was to China to attempt to keep 
     peace between the communists in the North and the free people 
     of the South. The United States soon realized this was 
     impossible and removed the Marines from China.
       His second deployment was to Korea, where he fought in the 
     famous ``Chosin Reservoir Battle'' for three weeks in subzero 
     temperatures. Following a brief assignment back in the 
     States, he was again deployed to Korea. During this 
     deployment, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart 
     Medal for his sacrifice and service to our country.
       In 1967, John served his first deployment to Vietnam. 
     During this assignment, for his leadership, he received a 
     Battlefield Commission to 2nd Lt. He was wounded during the 
     Battle of Plains. For this action, he received his second 
     purple heart. His last deployment in 1968 was back to Nam 
     again, where he fought in the famous Battle of Khe Sanh. 
     John's lifelong desire was to be a Company Commander, and he 
     was promoted to Captain to fill that empty position. During 
     the Khe Sanh Battle, he was wounded and was awarded his third 
     Purple Heart.
       After twenty-five years of honorable service to our 
     country, John retired from the United States Marine Corps in 
     1973. Our country is forever grateful for men like John 
     Wilson, where valor and sacrifice are a common virtue.
       Following his retirement from the USMC, John retired from 
     Kimberly-Clark, Beech Island, SC, after twenty-four years of 
     service.
       Capt. Wilson is a life member of Matlock Baptist Church, 
     Jackson, South Carolina, the James L. Hammons Marine Corps 
     League 939, the CPL Matthew Vincent Dillon Memorial Purple 
     Heart Chapter 2005, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, 
     and the Military Officers Association, MOAA.
       Left to cherish John's memory with his wife, Sam, are a 
     daughter, Terry Lynch, Monroe, NC; a grandson, Justin Cane 
     Jarrett, Jackson, SC; stepchildren, Tonya Marie Eisenhower, 
     Aiken, SC, and Lori Lee Mixon, Walterboro, SC; and several 
     step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
       Memorials may be made to Matlock Baptist Church, 980 Main 
     Street, Jackson, SC 29831.

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