Bethesda Veterans: Erv Wilson

Prior to Veterans Day 2023, which occurs on Nov. 11, we are getting to know a few of our Bethesda Veterans! We visited Erv at Village North Retirement Community to learn about his time in the service and his fondest memories made with his comrades. He even served alongside Elvis Presley in Germany in 1958!

When did you serve and in what branch of the military?

The Army from 1958 through ‘64. Two years active and four years reserve.

Did you enlist on your own or were you drafted?

Back then we were drafted. I was 24 and now I’m going on 89.

What were your thoughts when you got drafted?

I really didn’t want to go but I had to go. I was working for the Department of Defense before I went in. When I got to Germany, they gave me a desk job and for two years I was behind the desk and played baseball.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced?

I didn’t find out until years later that I was on a missile head casern. The Cold War was going on, so they kept the rockets in one part of Germany and the missile heads in another part, and I was on the post where the missile heads were and didn’t know it because everything was top secret. And you know how I found out? They did a documentary on “60 Minutes” and I said, “Wow, that’s where I was stationed in Germany!” The biggest challenge was to find out I was actually involved in some type of war affair.

Are there any memories that stand out to you?

I was in Paris and got a chance to meet a St. Louis native, Josephine Baker. I was walking down the Champs-Élysées, and she was performing at this theatre. I said, “That’s Josephine Baker! She’s from St. Louis where I’m from!” I went in and got a chance to get her autograph. I never saw her perform in St. Louis, only in Paris. So that was a high point of my career.

What does it mean to you to be a Veteran?

The saying “All gave some and some gave all.” That’s how I look at my comrades. I’m most proud of serving my country because I did it in civilian life and in military life.

Is there anything you wish everyone understood about Veterans?

That when they say “thank you for your service” they really know what that means. That they really know the true meaning behind that statement.