John Wilson Obituary

John Wilson
JACKSON - Retired Capt. John C. Wilson, U.S. Marine Corps, 93, beloved husband of Mrs. Sharon "Sam" Woodruff Wilson and a true patriot and hero, entered into rest on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in the comfort of his home. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Johnna Lisa Wilson. The family will greet friends on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Matlock Baptist Church, 980 Main Street, Jackson, SC 29831, beginning at 1 o'clock, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2 o'clock with Pastor Dale Reeves officiating. The interment with full military honors accorded by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard will follow in Jackson Memorial Park, Jackson, South Carolina. James L. Hammons Marine Corps League Detachment #939 members will be honorary pallbearers. John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the tender age of sixteen. Following boot camp, his first deployment, at seventeen, was to China to attempt to keep peace between the communists in the North and the free people of the South. The United States soon realized this was impossible and removed the Marines from China. His second deployment was to Korea, where he fought in the famous "Chosin Reservoir Battle" for three weeks in subzero temperatures. Following a brief assignment back in the States, he was again deployed to Korea. During this deployment, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart Medal for his sacrifice and service to our country. In 1967, John served his first deployment to Vietnam. During this assignment, for his leadership, he received a Battlefield Commission to 2nd Lt. He was wounded during the Battle of Plains. For this action, he received his second purple heart. His last deployment in 1968 was back to Nam again, where he fought in the famous Battle of Khe Sanh. John's lifelong desire was to be a Company Commander, and he was promoted to Captain to fill that empty position. During the Khe Sanh Battle, he was wounded and was awarded his third Purple Heart. After twenty-five years of honorable service to our country, John retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1973. Our country is forever grateful for men like John Wilson, where valor and sacrifice are a common virtue. Following his retirement from the USMC, John retired from Kimberly-Clark, Beech Island, SC, after twenty-four years of service. Capt. Wilson is a life member of Matlock Baptist Church, Jackson, South Carolina, the James L. Hammons Marine Corps League 939, the CPL Matthew Vincent Dillon Memorial Purple Heart Chapter 2005, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Military Officers Association, MOAA. Left to cherish John's memory with his wife, Sam, are a daughter, Terry Lynch, Monroe, NC; a grandson, Justin Cane Jarrett, Jackson, SC; stepchildren, Tonya Marie Eisenhower, Aiken, SC, and Lori Lee Mixon, Walterboro, SC; and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Matlock Baptist Church, 980 Main Street, Jackson, SC 29831.