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| World War II Discussion Panel |
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Monday, April 09, 2012; 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
U of I Lifetime Enrichment Adult Program
Join Bob Elliott as he moderates discussion between Wayne DeVries, a Marine during World War II, and Herb Wilson, who grew-up during the war in Chicago and enlisted as soon as he turned 18. Questions focus on 1) what U.S. GIs faced in combat and how they adapted 2) what it was like when our entire nation focused it's hopes, dreams, concerns, and fears on a common objective.
Wayne DeVries enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps when he was 18 years old, January 20, 1943. Corporal DeVries joined the 4th Tank Battalion as a Private First Class. He was assigned to Company “B” as a tank gunner and radio operator and took part in the Invasion of Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian Islands, Marianas Islands and the capture of Iwo Jima and Volcano Islands. After being discharged October 31, 1945, Mr. DeVries received his BS and taught school for two years until returning to his family’s South Dakota dairy business in 1951.
Herbert Wilson enlisted in the Navy February 1, 1946, the day after his 18th birthday. He spent time at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital and the Adak Alaska Navy Dispensary Clinic. After being discharged in December 1947, Herb received his BSME in 1951 from Purdue and his MBA in 1959 from the University of Chicago. He worked as an engineer and business consultant until 2008.
Bob Elliott grew up in Chicago during the war. He enlisted in the Army Reserve in June 1958 and was discharged in December 1958. He received a BA from the UI in 1957, worked for 10 years with a daily newspaper and 30 years at ACT.
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