This AI-generated image is representative of the uniforms issued at the time.
Woodrow Wilson Page
Woodrow Wilson Page, often referred to simply as Wilson Page, was born on April 22, 1913, in Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky to John William and Sally A. Darnell Page. He was one of six children, growing up alongside three sisters and two brothers in a rural farming community. With only a eight-grade education, Wilson began working as a farm laborer to help support his family. By 1940, he was residing in Weakley, Tennessee, working on the farm of Wayne Ross.
Wilson enlisted with the Kentucky National Guard on 3 May 1935 in Russellville, KY and was assigned to Company L, 149th Infantry Regiment, 38th Division. In January 1941, he departed Mayfield, Kentucky, with his unit for federal active duty as the United States prepared for World War II. Wilson’s service took him to the Hawaiian Islands and later to the Pacific theater, including New Guinea and the Philippines.
Tragically, Private First Class Page was killed in action on March 16, 1945, during the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines, at the age of 32. His sacrifice was deeply felt by his family and community. His remains were repatriated and returned to Mayfield, Kentucky, in 1949. A funeral service with military honors was conducted at Roberts Funeral Home, officiated by Reverend W.G. Sullivan. Wilson Page was laid to rest at Bazzell Cemetery in Calloway County, Kentucky.
Wilson’s service and sacrifice remains a symbol of the dedication and bravery of those who left their homes to serve their country during WWII.
1940 Census
1940 census has Page living in the home of Wayne Ross at Weakley, Tennessee. Page was working for Ross on his farm. Records indicate that he usually went by Wilson Page and dropped the Woodrow.
Our Boys in the Armed Forces
. . .Right now we can think of four of the 78 enlisted men who left with Company L who gave their lives for their country. They are John Pigg, Wilbur Page, Joe Kimbel, and Cleatus Forester. . .[1]
Pfc. Wilson Page Killed in Action in Philippines
Private First Class Wilson Page, 32, has been killed in action in the Philippines Islands according to a War Department message received by relatives here.
Pfc. Page left Mayfield in January, 1941, with the local National Guard Unit and before going to the Philippines he served in the Hawaiian Islands and in New Guinea.
Survivors include his father, J. W. Page, two brothers, and three sisters.[2]
Body of Pvt. Wilson Page to be Returned to Mayfield Sunday
The body of Pvt. Wilson Page, a member of Co. L, Mayfield National Guard, who was killed on Luzon on March 16, 1945, will arrive in Mayfield early Sunday morning, and will be taken to the home of a brother, Jim Page. Pvt. Page was 32 years of age at the time of his death.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Roberts Funeral Home, with Rev. W. G. Sullivan officiating. Burial, with military ceremonies, will be in Bazzell Cemetery.
Surviving are two brothers and three sisters.[3]
[1] The Mayfield Messenger, 12 Oct 1945, p. 1. Article “Our Boys in the Armed Forces’.
[2] The Mayfield Messenger, 18 Apr 1945, p. 1.
[3] The Mayfield Messenger, 16 Nov 1949, p. 1.