Biographical note
Earl Wilson was born on October 2, 1917, in Washington, D.C., the son of Joseph M. and Virginia Maude Wilson. He received his early education at Eastern High School, later attending Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service night courses (from 1937 to 1941). After a year he married Lorane Andrews daughter of Guinn Williams, a congressman from Texas. Mr. Wilson was twenty at the time. Following brief stints as stenographer for Hecht's Department Store and as an attendant at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Mr. Wilson was hired as a copy writer for the Washington Post in1941, where he remained until 1942. During this period he won a newspaper scholarship to George Washington University. In 1942, Mr. Wilson was posted with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, in the combat correspondents program, to four campaigns, Tarawa, Guam, Peliliu, and Leyte Gulf. He entered as a second lieutenant, and by the end of the war had been promoted to captain. For his work during this period,Mr. Wilson received a Presidential Unit citation. He wrote many articles, short stories and poetry about his experiences, and coauthored a book on the Tarawa campaign. After the war, Mr. Wilson went on to serve six months in China in the office of public information for Marine Aviation, before returning to the Washington Post. In March 1947, Mr. Wilson joined USIA. His first post was Shanghai where he served as public affairs assistant until 1949. Other posts during his long years with USIA included Manila(1950-1952), Paris (1952-1953), Bangkok (where he was chief information officer, 1954-1955), Mexico City(1957-1960), Hong Kong (1960-1964), Madrid (1965-1967), and Kuala Lumpur (1967-1969). From 1970 to 1971, Mr. Wilson was on the faculty at the National War College; in 1971, he was psychological operations advisor to the commander in chief of the Pacific; and from 1971 to 1973, he as USIA advisor to the same. Mr. Wilson retired in 1973,and currently resides in Potomac, Maryland. Mr. Wilson is the recipient of the USIA Meritorious Service Award (1959)and the Superior Service Award (1970) 'for exceptionally imaginative ideas and concepts over a sustained period which have significantly advanced U.S. Government objectives in the field of public affairs and psychological operations in many parts of the world.' Mr. Wilson is a current member of the board of the Public Diplomacy foundation. He also holds exhibitions of his own paintings, with international showings in cities such as Mexico city, Miami, Hong Kong, Madrid, Kuala Lumpur, and Washington, D.C. Recently, Mr. Wilson participated in the Foreign Affairs Oral History program sponsored by Georgetown University. A transcript of his taped interview is available at the Special collections Division of the Lauinger Library. In addition, a memoir of his time in China cowritten (with illustrations) by Mr. Wilson and his wife Lorane, is also available. The Foreign Affairs Oral History Program also includes a taped interview and transcription of Bernard J. Lavin, an officer with USIA and colleague of Mr. Wilson.
