Garfield R. Wilkinson – Private to Staff Sergeant

Served with distinction in the Hq1 Battalion Intelligence Section (S2) from March 1943 to November 1945. 

Garfield (“Wilkie”) Wilkinson was a courageous, reliable, soldier, loved and respected by everyone in Hq1.

Garfield was a Hq1 “Hell’s Half Acre” survivor (See Chapter II, Combat Operations – Normandy). 

Garfield Wilkinson was a distinguished member of the “Greatest of the Greatest Generation.” 

Garfield died January 15, 2003. This summary was developed from information provided by his extended family and his World War II comrades. 

Garfield was born March 10, 1920 in Laurel, Delaware. He was inducted into the Army February 9, 1942, at Fort Meade, Maryland. After basic training, Garfield volunteered for parachutist training at Fort Benning, GA.

Following an inordinate delay, Garfield was finally sent to the parachute school and made the required five qualification jumps. After a furlough, Garfield was ordered to join the 508^th Parachute Infantry Regiment (508^th PIR) at Camp Mackall, NC.

Initially, Garfield was assigned to Company A as a member of a rifle squad. However, Garfield was more interested in meeting and defeating the enemy on his terms rather than fighting the war hidden in the unglamorous ranks of a rifle squad. After some smart (slick) maneuvering, as only “Wilkie” could orchestrate, he obtained a transfer to Hq1 and was assigned to the Battalion Intelligence Section (S-2).

Garfield was now in a position where he envisaged “operating” independent of close supervision, leading small-dedicated patrols into enemy territory, capturing Germans and otherwise defeating them at every opportunity. The war began to look interesting! 

Garfield trained diligently at Camp Mackall, and later in England preparing for combat in Europe.

In combat, Garfield Wilkinson excelled. He led attack formations, performed extensive patrols, captured numerous Germans, and enjoyed an enviable reputation for heroism, competence and confidence.