Bertram in Burnet County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
J.V. "Pinky" Wilson
1897-1980
Photographed By James Hulse, August 4, 2022
1. J.V. "Pinky" Wilson Marker
Pinky entered Texas A&M and in his junior year joined the Marine Corps and fought in the Meuse-Argonne Battle 9/26 - 11/11, 1918. In this horrible battle America lost over 26,000 killed and more than 100,000 wounded. Pinky wrote the War Hymn on the back of an envelope during or shortly after this battle. Over the years his song became world famous and is sung at all A&M athletic events.
Four Memorial Tributes have been placed in his honor:
• Life size bronze statue on the Texas A&M campus facing Kyle Field, 1 of only 4 statues allowed on the campus
• Same statue as above placed here in Bertram
• Granite cenotaph monument in the Texas State Cemetery, Austin, TX
• Granite tombstone and grave blankets at Post Moutain Cemetery, Burnet, TX, burial site of Pinky and Erma Wilson
Erected by Hullabaloo LLC, Friends & Supporters of Texas A&M University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. 30° 44.642′ N, 98° 3.303′ W. Marker is in Bertram, Texas, in Burnet County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 29 and Farm to Market Road 1174, on the right when traveling west on State Highway 29. The marker is located west of the train depot next to the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 W State Highway 29, Bertram TX 78605, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The City of Bertram (a few steps from this marker); Bertram Depot (a few steps from this marker); Bertram School (approx. ¼ mile away); Bertram (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Village of South Gabriel (approx. 2 miles away); The Bryson Place (approx. 2.3 miles away); Mount Zion Cemetery (approx. 3.6 miles away); Oatmeal Cemetery (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bertram.
Also see . . . J. V. Wilson. Wikipedia
Wilson enrolled at Texas A&M in 1915, when the First World War was just in its first years. By the time he was junior, the United States entered the war and he joined the United States Marine Corps and was sent to the(Submitted on August 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)frontlines in France in 1917. It was there where he wrote the now famous war hymn, specifically during a battle when he wrote phrases from a number of school yells on the back of a letter while waiting for orders from his commander. In the months that followed, the war came to an end and Wilson completed the song, singing it with his fellow marines while stationed in Germany. Upon returning to College Station, he completed his studies at A&M and graduated with his class in 1920. The song (which at the time was known as "Good-bye to Texas University") was frequently performed by the Cast-Iron Quartet, which was organized by Wilson and was chosen by a couple of Aggie Yell Leaders as the university's fight song. It was first performed by the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band in 1921 at the halftime drill during a football game against Baylor University. He died in 1980 and is buried at a cemetery in Burnet.Photographed By James Hulse, August 4, 20222. The J.V. "Pinky" Wilson Statue and Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, August 4, 2022
3. The view of the J.V. "Pinky" Wilson Marker from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 527 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
