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S/Sgt Daniel W. Wilson Jr. worked on a farm before he enlisted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 3 June 1943. He was sent overseas in November 1943.

He landed in North Africa on 3 December 1943 and also saw action at the Anzio Beachhead in Italy. Later his unit was pulled back from the lines and participated in the invasion of Southern France on 15 August 1944.

He was slightly wounded in 23 December 1944.

According to a newspaper article in the Wilmington News Journal, not long before his dead he was in the news for helping out a German-speaking sergeant in capturing some Germans. The Germans insisted on surrendering to an officer. They were convinced that the sergeant was an officer when Wilson, then a Pfc, came up, stood at attention and "sirred" the sergeant. The group captured 16 Nazis by the ruse.

He drowned in the Rhine river while on duty.

Two of his brothers also served. Cpl Roy Wilson fought with a tank battalion in the First Army and Sgt Arthur Wilson served with the Army Air Force at Eglin Field, Florida.