Raymond J. Wilson, 1970

Raymond Wilson, Sr. enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1955 and retired on September 29^th 1974 after 20 years of Service.  He retired as Chief Petty Officer (E7).  He served during the Vietnam era in combat.  For 4 years he was aboard the oldest Commissioned ship in the Military – the USS Old Iron Side Constitution.  Raymond was the first African American ordered aboard that ship from June 1961 to June 1965 serving as a Personnel Officer during that time. There have apparently been no other African American Personnel Officers in that role since then. The ship is still in commission in Boston, MA

Raymond said he really enjoyed his time in the Navy with his wife and children.  He had two tours of duty in Washington, D.C. and they traveled around the world, across the equator.  He is now enjoying the benefits of his labor.

PNC Ray Wilson Officer & Crew aboard (AOE-4) USS Detroit

US Navy Retired PNC Raymond Wilson with Commander, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt and Honorary member Ernest Borgnine at an event at the US Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Photo by Raymond Wilson of the 20^th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, August 18, 1983.  Shown are members of the King Family, Stevie Wonder, US. Rep. John Conyers and former US Ambassador, Andrew Young and others.  This year we are celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of  Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech.”

Mignon Wilson celebrated her Birthday at a lovely afternoon Brunch with seventeen members of their family on Sunday August 2, 2013.

Respectfully Submitted by Raymond and Mignon Wilson of the Washington, DC Chapter of the Wilson Lake Herbert Family Circle

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