Wilbert Hess

Personal Information

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois

Service Information

Branch of Service: Army

Unit: SHAEF

Theater of Operation: European

Enlisted / Commissioned: Jul 10, 1941

Discharged: Nov 9, 1945

Highest Rank: Technical Sargeant

Honored By: Jayne and Bill Babbitt

Biography

Wilbert Gustaf Hess served on General Eisenhower’s staff at Headquarters, Supreme Allied Expeditionary Force in London. He was with the advance personnel unit (code name: SHIPMATE) with the rank of Technical Sergeant. He is a member of the SHAEF Alumni organization and meets with his former colleagues at annual reunions and corresponds with Army buddies and their spouses. Mr. Hess views these exciting times as among the best years of his life. According to his daughter: ‘I too have a very close link to someone from the Greatest Generation, my father. He has always been there for me and I consider him my hero. At age 89, he loves his country and if he could, he would serve again proudly. To quote my father, ‘there is no place like America.’ ‘