WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will participate in the
renaming of the Cape Girardeau U.S. Mail Processing and Distribution Center for Korean War hero Richard. G. Wilson on Wednesday, October 27, at 9:30 a.m. CDT.  Emerson sponsored legislation in the U.S. Congress, which passed and was approved by President Bush, to designate the facility for Private Wilson.

 

“The word hero has really acquired new meaning for us in this era, and Private Wilson perfectly fits the definition.  When his unit came under attack in Korea and fell back, he saw a soldier who had been left behind.  Against a direct order, he returned to the field of battle, unarmed, to try to save a life.  His bravery cost him his own.  For this, he was awarded our nation’s highest honor. I think it is important to honor the sacrifices of so many in Southern Missouri who have given to their country by remembering Private Wilson in a permanent way,” Emerson said.

 

Wilson was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroic actions on the field of battle near Opari, Korea, while serving with the 189th Airborne as a medic.

 

“Our community has really united behind Private Wilson’s memory as something that we are very proud of and should memorialize this way,” Emerson added.  “The efforts of so many, especially Tony Carroll of Farmington and U.S. Senator Kit Bond, to make this idea a reality deserve a big thank you.”

 

WHO:       U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson
WHAT:     Dedication of the Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Center
WHEN:     Wednesday, October 27; 9:30 a.m. CDT
WHERE:  475 Kell Farm Road, Cape Girardeau