Eric E. Wikner Papers

Eric E. Wikner was born on December 15, 1908 above the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland. He entered Military Service in 1931 and was commissioned in November 1935. He received his assignment with 77th Division in New York City in Colonel Teddy Roosevelt’s Battalion. He organized, equipped and trained the First Experimental Ski Patrol in December 1940. On activation of the First Battalion of the 87th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was assigned as Supervisor of Ski Training, and he organized three winter instruction detachments for training in Mountain Operations. He served in the 44th Infantry Division Ski Patrol; Service Company of the 87th Infantry Regiment; Company E and Headquarters of the First Battalion of the 87th Infantry Regiment; Headquarters of the Third Battalion of the 86th Infantry Regiment; and Headquarters of the Third Battalion of the 85th Infantry Regiment. He was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington; Camp Hale, Colorado; and Camp Swift, Texas; before being sent to Italy. While engaged in combat operations against German forces occupying Italy, he received the Bronze Star Medal for his actions at Mt. Belvedere on February 20, 1945. He received the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star for his actions at the Po River area on April 23, 1945. Wikner attained the rank of Major during his service with the 10th Mountain Division and he retired from the Military with a rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He passed away in 1987.