The Greatest Generation-Part 1

One of my favorite books is The Greatest Generation written by journalist and long-time NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw. For younger readers, the term greatest generation refers to Americans born between 1901 and 1927 and became adults during the Great Depression with many involved as soldiers or in supporting roles for WWII. The word “entitled” and the concept of entitlement had no place in their lives or vocabulary. Hard work, patriotism, personal sacrifice, and resilience defined their legacy. I had the honor and privilege of knowing one of those soldiers and members of the greatest generation. He was my dad, First Sargent Morris A. Wilson in the Army’s Third Infantry Division. My father was born September 22, 1917, in Crab Orchard, Lincoln County, Kentucky. He was drafted into service with the U.S. Army and served from circa 1941 through 1945. This induction upended his life as it did countless other young men. His college education at Western Kentucky University was interrupted and unfortunately never resumed. My father never complained about any of this. This seemed to be the attitude of most veterans who served in WWII that I spoke with over the years. Like most combat veterans of this war, he did not speak frequently about his service on the battlefield. For him, he had a job to do and wanted to do it well and return home as soon as possible. As this May marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe, two stories my Father shared with me illustrating leadership, courage, and accountability come to mind. I would like to share them as part of a two-part series on the greatest generation. Now for Part 1.

Following his induction in the Army, my father did basic training in the very hot southern Louisiana sun before receiving other training at different military bases around the country. While at Fort Thomas, Kentucky he suffered a ruptured appendix. This would be a big deal medically today and was an even bigger deal in the early 1940’s. His ugly surgical scar was an enduring reminder. He spent several weeks recuperating at Fort Thomas. If there was any silver lining with the experience, he met his future wife and my mother who lived nearby in Covington, KY. during this time. After he recovered from the appendectomy ordeal, he continued training in other military bases and finally ended up at Fort Dix, New Jersey which was the last stop before shipping out to the European theatre of war in Germany, France, and Belgium.

Fort Dix, New Jersey had to be a very mentally, emotionally, and physically draining venue. Every soldier passing through Fort Dix clearly knew and understood that this would be the last stop prior to engaging in deadly combat with German forces.

On the last night before departure from Fort Dix, my father was faced with an uncomfortable decision. One of the Privates who reported to him asked if he could spend the last night with his wife and children before departure the next day from Fort Dix. My father was aware that the Private’s wife and children had been following the Private from military base to military base enroute to Fort Dix. I am not sure exactly what went through my father’s mind at this point, but he granted permission and the Private departed to spend the last night with his family. What my father did not anticipate was a surprise bed check that evening undertaken by the company’s Lieutenant. As would be expected, the Lieutenant was very upset that the Private was absent. I am sure it would be fair to say that the Lieutenant and my father had a rather animated conversation on this matter. My father made it clear to the Lieutenant that if the Private failed to show up at the next morning’s roll call my father would stand responsible for his absence including the possibility of court martial.

While court martial is a very serious matter in today’s military, it would have been far more serious in a time of world war. A conviction in a court martial proceeding would have meant prison time; a dishonorable military discharge; and a lifetime scarlet letter for the conviction. Fortunately, the Private returned well before roll call and the temperature and atmospherics calmed as my father’s company departed from Fort Dix.

Many of you reading this blog can probably anticipate what happened next in the war zone. In the very first battle with the German forces, the Private was killed. The Lieutenant made it a point to tell my father how pleased he was that my father allowed the Private to spend the last night with his family. My father shared that sentiment in spades.

Is there anything to be learned from this experience? I believe there is indeed. True leadership in any area of life is never without some level of risk taking. While careless and uninformed risks should not be undertaken, true leaders in any field of endeavor understand that informed risks must be undertaken when the stakes demand it. I am sure my father had a sense of the Private’s character and integrity and the Private’s love and commitment to his family and was therefore highly unlikely to “go rogue.” But the Private’s return to base was not guaranteed. The safe decision would have been to tell the Private “no” in answer to his request. But true leaders in any field never discount the needs of those that report to them and are willing to put some “skin in the game” for their needs. In my view, any leader who refuses to do this for their team is not a true leader. Make no mistake, teams understand this very well. Great leaders also rise to the occasion and demonstrate courage and accountability in the face of adversity. When confronted by the Lieutenant, my father could have pretended that he did not know the Private was missing or made some flimsy self-serving excuse for the Private’s absence. For my father, stepping up for one of his men was just part of his job and not a big deal at all. But for me, this story left an indelible impression demonstrating leadership, courage, and accountability which I never forgot and am honored to share.

God bless you and thanks for the privilege of your time in reading this blog!