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<em>Ovid O. Wilson,</em> known to most as Zero, died 29 May 1982, after a long illness. His was a long, rich, rewarding life. He leaves us fond memories of a man of outstanding character and with a deep conviction of personal honor. Bearing a cross that few have borne, he found clean, wholesome humor in almost any situation and enriched the lives of so many people. Truly, he was a man who won the respect of all with whom he came in contact.</div>
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Zero was born and reared in East Texas, near Normangee—the third of Frank and Rosalee Wilsons’ six children. He spent his early years on the farm—hard years, plowing, doing chores, walking long miles to school—doing things he would talk about for years, and embellish considerably. To know Zero was to know tales of Normangee and to enjoy his rare sense of humor. He often said he worked 21 years to get off the farm and he did not plan on returning. It took the Japanese to get Zero back to farming in 1942.</div>
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In 1920 Zero entered West Point, graduating in June 1924. He thoroughly enjoyed those fun-filled years and made lasting friends. He was a handsome and dashing cadet, a very proficient polo player—and certainly not one who worried about his academic prowess or was noted therefore. The ’24 <em>HOWITZER </em>says of him "...you may well picture him the gallant chivalrous Lochinvar of the Service.” West Point prepared him for the tests of life that were to come. It also endued him with a rare sense of duty, honor and country. Zero’s most dominant characteristic was his deep, deep sense of honor. These traits would stand him in good stead in the years to come.</div>
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He lived by these extracts of the Cadet Prayer:</div>
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"Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won...</div>
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"May we find genuine pleasure in clean and wholesome mirth and feel inherent disgust for all coarse-minded humor.”</div>
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In 1926 Zero married Betty Goodloe of San Antonio, and he always maintained that was the smartest thing he ever did. It was! Betty was made of steel and held the family together during some rough times that followed. He was a devoted husband and theirs was marriage made in heaven and blessed with three children. Gail, the elder son, was born in 1928, graduated from the Military Academy in 1950, and in 1967 was killed in Vietnam commanding an Infantry battalion of the 4th Division. Joe was born in 1932, is a Military Academy ’53 graduate and just recently retired from the Army as a colonel. Liz was born in 1936 and lives in Houston near her mother. To Gail, Joe and Liz, their father was a generous, selfless man who gave them understanding, support, encouragement and direction. He rode with a postitive but loose rein. His character and sense of humor were indelibly etched on each of them. Their dad was also their best friend. Many an enjoyable evening was spent listening to tales of Normangee, singing, playing charades, or cribbage, acting out skits, or whatever. Rarely do you find such a relationship between a father and his children.</div>
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Army life of the late ’20s and ’30s was good to the Wilsons. They were posted to Forts Sam Houston, Warren, Benning, Riley and Leavenworth. They were also stationed in the Philippines twice. Although he approached his duties with a delightful sense of humor, those who served with him recognized that he performed them in a highly effective manner. In 1941 he served as General Wainwright’s aide-de-camp just prior to the onset of World War II. His brief but arduous combat time was spent as the G1, II Philippine Corps.</div>
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In April 1942 Zero was captured on Bataan in the Philippines by the Japanese, and held three and a half years as a prisoner of war. He survived the infamous Death March and the sinking of two ships transporting the prisoners to Japan. Not only did he survive but also through his leadership and inspiration he influenced many others to do likewise. Truly he willed himself through that experience. An example of what he and others endured is depicted in this short extract from his official report written upon his liberation in September 1945. It describes the situation of the survivors after the first ship sinking, when the prisoners were herded ashore.</div>
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"The suffering, lying naked on the concrete in the blazing sun during the day, and the chill at night, among the flies and mosquitoes, with the ever present thirst, and the stench of the dead and the living, listening to the moans of the wounded and the babbling of the delirious, was beyond description.”</div>
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Never a religious man before, as a prisoner Zero found and embraced the Catholic Church. He became strong in his faith and remained so throughout his life. He also came to appreciate many other things that so many take for granted, like sufficient air, water, food, motivation and freedom. This appreciation was the direct result of being so deprived.</div>
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After the war the Wilsons were posted to Fort Benning, Fort Riley, Roswell and Honolulu. As before the war, they thoroughly enjoyed Army life and its camaraderie. Now, to his tales of Normangee Zero added tales of his life as a prisoner, always finding some humor in each situation. An example, he related that when his father learned of his liberation from prison camp, he told his friends in Normangee that his son had been released. One man said, “you mean it was the Japanese who had yore boy? Why all the time I been thinkin he was in the State Pen up in Huntsville!”</div>
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In 1945 Zero retired from the Army as a colonel, moved to Houston, and became associated with Adams and Porter, Inc., a marine insurance brokerage. He thoroughly enjoyed his second career, was immensely successful, and made many, many friends in the area. He retired as Chairman of the Board in 1974.</div>
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Zero spent his last five years in a nursing home. He was completely incapacitated as the result of hardening of the arteries, several small strokes, and the debilitating effects of his prisoner of war experiences. These were difficult times for him, Betty, the children and his friends. His last years were as comfortable as possible, given the situation. Finally he is at peace. He ran the good race, to the very best of ability. He contributed so much to the betterment of all with whom he was associated. He lived a good life.</div>
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<em>“And when your work is done </em></div>
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<em>Your course on earth is run,</em></div>
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<em>May it he said Well Done,</em></div>
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<em>Be Thou at Peace.</em></div>
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Well Done, Zero. Be Thou at Peace. Farewell and Godspeed.</div>
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<em>—Joseph C. Wilson</em></div>