367th-Header 2015
May 062013
 

WLH-rescue-identify

This photo was taken in the yard of the old mill of Beautor.
Here are the names of the persons which are on the photo with Wilson.
The doctor Rose was still alive some years ago but very old. He left in an old people’s home in the South of France. He lived in city of Fère in 1944. Mister Chaillon was the leader of the resistance of Beautor which hid your father.

1 Lt Wilson L Harrell (367th Fihter Group, 394th Fighter Squadron)
2 Lt Donald E Eberhardt (367th Fihter Group, 392th Fighter Squadron)
3 Doctor Rose of La Fère.
4 Mr Chaillon leader of local resistance at Beautor
5 Mrs Chaillon (wife of Mr Chaillon)
6 Mr Prevost
7 Mr Holy
8 Mrs Gros
9 Us Soldiers

Donald E Eberhardt, the pilot who was shot down at the same day is still alive.

About Wilson military life :

Wilson L Harrel enlisted on 12/14/1944 in the Air Corps as Aviation Cadet.
Army Number : O-760188
1943 to june 1944 : He received instruction and training but i don’t know more about this period.
june 1944 : Wilson joined the 394th Fighter Squadron in England. (Isbley Station)
He was Missed In action on August 25th 1944 (his P-38 crashed at Beautor).
Awarded with the Silver Star (october or november 1944), the Presidentional Unit citation
I think your father was also awarded with the purple heart, and maybe the air medal. But not sure.

  4 Responses to “The rescue of Wilson Harrell Sept. 2, 1944”

  1.  

    I’m a tiny bit surprised to see no mention of why Wilson Harrell is all dirty.
    Seems the Resistance hid him from the Nazi’s by burying him in a cornfield to breath through a straw by day and dug him up at night to feed him.

    In later years he turned Formula 409 cleaner into a national brand. Quite a character.

    •  

      You seem to know quite a bit about Wilson! So I am a bit curious who you are? This is his son and this site was started as a tribute to him, the French underground and the 367th Group. It was just started – still just a baby. So I was surprised to see your comment. You can also message me directly at admin@367fightergroup.com. Thanks for your comment!

  2.  

    Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts
    andd I am waiting for your next write ups thanks once again.

  3.  

    Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article.
    Thanks for providing this info.