Ralph Dolen Wilson

He was an Air Force Command Pilot with 69 B-26 combat missions over Europe during WWII including a mission on D-Day and 50 missions as a forward air controller during the Korean Conflict. His awards and decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross with a bronze oak leaf cluster and Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters, the American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal with battle star, European Medal with two battle stars, Korean Service Medal with two battle stars, the Presidential Unite Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster and the Korean Presidential Unite Commendation Medal.

Ralph graduated from Wynnewood High School in 1939 attending Oklahoma University for one year prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corps January 10, 1941.

While attending air craft mechanic school he applied for and was accepted in the newly established enlisted pilot training program graduating September 6, 1942 as a Staff Sergeant Pilot. He was an Aircraft Commander in the Strategic Air Command flying KC-97 when he retired June 30, 1962.

After his retirement from the Air Force he worked at Tinker Air Force Base for 27 years as a logistic specialist and budget annalist in support of the KC135 and B52 aircraft systems, attaining the grade of GS11.

Ralph was proceeded in death by his parents, John Edgar Wilson and Beulah May Franks Wilson and his wife of 71 years, Lillie Augusta Herman Wilson.

He is survived by his children Susan Lee Wilson Owen and Ralph Dolen Wilson II, his grandchildren Bethany Ann Reirdon, Randall James Craddock II and Amy Young, and his great grand children Patrick Reirdon, Matthew Reirdon, Victoria Young and Will Craddock.