Answering the Call to Serve
Born in Norfolk, Virginia on March 27, 1892, George Barry Wilson was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1910. He graduated in 1914 and was assigned to the battleship U.S.S. Delaware (BB-28) and served aboard her during the Mexican Campaign and World War I (1917-18). Wilson was detached from the Delaware in February 1919 and then served on U.S. destroyers until June 1919 at which time he was assigned to Post Graduate School, at the U.S. Naval Academy to take a Marine Engineering course, which he finished at Columbia University
Serving at Sea
From September 1921 to April 1922, Wilson served in the Bureau of Aeronautics in the Navy Department. Next, he served as senior engineer of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Langly (CV-1) and in August 1922, he became Aide and Flag Lieutenant on the staff of the Commander, Battleship Division 5 – Atlantic Fleet. From December 1923 to June 1927, Wilson served duty at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. From July 1927 to February 1930, Captain Wilson served as Squadron Engineer and aid on the staff of the Commander, Destroyer Squadrons – Asiatic Fleet.
Following a two-year run of service in the office of Inspector of Naval Material – Philadelphia, Wilson was assigned to the battleship U.S.S. Mississippi (BB-41) where he served as gunnery officer from June 1932 to June 1935. For the next three years, he was stationed at the Pacific Naval Base in Pearly Harbor, Hawaii. There, Wilson assisted in fitting out the light cruiser U.S.S. Honolulu (CL-48) and following her commissioning, served as her executive officer from June 1938 to June 1940. In July 1940, he was reassigned to duty in the U.S. Bureau of Navigation.
Life Aboard the USS ALABAMA
On August 16, 1942, Captain Wilson took command of the nation’s newest battleship at that time, the U.S.S. Alabama (BB-60). Following her commissioning at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, he served as captain of the “Mighty A” for the next seven months. Wilson commanded BB-60 through her early shakedown cruises. He left the Alabama on March 17, 1943 and shortly after was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed chief of staff to Admiral Harold B. Stark, Commander of United States Naval Forces in Europe. Rear Admiral George B. Wilson passed away December 4, 1949 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia) on December 7, 1949.
Awards and Commendations
Rear Admiral George Wilson’s military decorations include: The Mexican Service Medal for service on the U.S.S. Delaware (BB-28), 1914; Victory Medal, Grand Fleet Clasp, U.S.S. Delaware, 1917-1918; The Yangtze Service Medal, 1927-1930 as Squadron Engineer, Destroyer Squadrons, Asiatic Fleet; American Campaign Medal, WWII; European Campaign Medal, WWII; Bronze Star, WWII; and Victory Medal WWII.