SGT James L. Wilson, Jr. US Army
May 26, 1992 – April 3, 2021
With love and compassion, we remember Jamie, who was born in Oceanside, CA, on May 26, 1992, and passed away on April 3, 2021. Jamie served with honor and dedication, attending Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 2016, becoming a Field Artillery Cannoneer. He proudly served as a Cannon Crew Member and Gunner from 2016 to 2018 with the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Riley, Kansas. During his service, he deployed to Poland for eight months in 2017.
In November 2018, Jamie was reassigned to the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he served as Ammunition Team Chief for 6th Section, 2nd Platoon, Alpha Battery. His leadership was instrumental in the battery’s operations during multiple training rotations in 2019. In 2020, he played a vital role in the battery’s COVID-19 response and exemplified the Army’s “People First” initiatives.
Jamie earned many awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He also completed various military courses, such as the basic leader course, bus driver course, and small arms maintainer (U6) course.
Beyond his service, Jamie had a passion for cooking, fishing, and caring for others. He stayed back during the holidays to cook a feast for soldiers who had no family to go to. He was always there to help, particularly for his fellow soldiers struggling with mental health challenges. He selflessly supported them, even driving them around at 3 a.m. to give them hope and reasons to keep going then to have to be at work at 6am. Although he couldn’t save everyone, he touched countless lives, and many soldiers credit Jamie for helping them survive their darkest moments.
Jamie’s dream was to open his own restaurant one day. His love for the outdoors, especially fishing and hiking, drew him to the Colorado Rockies. He had a creative spirit too, developing a love for wood turning and sending me his first mini goblet, followed by two larger ones the day before he passed.
When Jamie left us, I attended his unit service at Fort Carson. Soldiers came from across the country, sharing stories about how Jamie’s kindness and caring nature had touched their lives. Many said they would not be here today if it hadn’t been for him.
Jamie called both San Marcos, CA, and Colorado home, but he rests with me, his mother, in Illinois.
