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On 30 Dec 1951, Hugh Wilson’s short
military career came to a tragic end. In an
airplane crash in the Superstition Mountains
northeast of Phoenix, AZ, he and 18 other
cadets returning from Christmas leave on
an Air Force C-47 all perished. Eleven of
the 19 were members of the Class of 1954.
The entire Corps witnessed an emotional
memorial service at the Post Cemetery
as Hugh and two other classmates were
returned to West Point. In the year and a half
Hugh was with us, I-2 companymates came
to appreciate his calm and sunny disposition.
He was a man of great potential with broad
interests and talents.
HUGH ROBERT WILSON, JR. was born
in Alliance, OH, on 14 Apr 1930 to Mr.
and Mrs. Hugh Wilson. The family moved
to Tulelake, CA, when Hugh was seven. He
was active in the Boy Scouts, earning Eagle
Scout and serving as a Junior Scoutmaster.
Tulelake citizens remember his beautiful
tenor voice and his athletic involvement in
high school football, baseball, and basketball.
Hugh was also active in several school clubs.
His classmates from Tulelake still fondly
remember his achievements and attitude. In
1948, he graduated as valedictorian.
After graduation, Hugh attended Mount
Union College in Alliance, OH, for two
years before he received his appointment
from California congressman Claire Engle to
enter West Point. At Mount Union, he was a
member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity,
and the fraternity later established a Memorial
Pledge Award in his honor. A scholarship fund
in Tulelake was also established in his name.
Hugh was admitted to the Academy on
5 Jul 1950 and, after surviving Beast Barracks,
was assigned to Company I-2. Entering with
two years of college under his belt, he had
an easy time with academics and helped
roommates with Plebe math and English.
He participated in intramural lacrosse and
swimming and was well liked by all.
Hugh was looking forward to Christmas
leave in 1951. Since entering West Point, he
had not spent Christmas in California. He
and 23 other cadets were able to get a ride
on an Air Force C-47 from Stewart Field to
Hamilton AFB in California. After relaxing
at home, he made his way back to Hamilton
from Tulelake in time to catch the return
flight to Stewart. There were 19 cadets on
the return flight; the remaining five had
found other transportation. On 30 Dec 1951,
as a result of bad weather and navigation
problems, the C-47 hit the side of Armer
Mountain at 6,500 feet.
On 5 Jan 1952, Superintendent MG
Frederick Irving issued General Orders Number
8, Announcement of Death, which stated:
It is the sad duty of the Superintendent
to announce the death of Cadet Hugh
Robert Wilson, Jr., a member of the Class
of 1954, United States Corps of Cadets,
whose death occurred in an aircraft
accident in the State of Arizona on 30
Dec 1951.
Throughout his cadetship at West
Point, Cadet Wilson was a most popular
and highly regarded member of his class.
He at all times justified his appointment
to the United States Military Academy
and was in all respects a credit to the
Corps of Cadets.
The Superintendent, personally and in
behalf of the Corps of Cadets, the Officers
and Enlisted Men of the United States
Military Academy, desires to convey
to the bereaved parents and relatives of
Cadet Wilson, the sincere condolences of
all at West Point who knew this splendid
young gentleman. His regrettable and
unfortunate demise is a very definite
loss to this institution and to the United
States Army.
F. A. Irving
Major General, U.S.A.
Superintendent
Hugh will be remembered by all who
knew him. We can only speculate at what he
might have achieved had he been provided
the opportunity to add to his record.
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