Alan Dale Wilkes was born in San Francisco, California on April 8, 1911. After completing his graduate work in journalism, he worked as a photography editor in New York City. He married his love from South Carolina, Lila Lee Castles, prior to shipping out to war. He was inducted into the US Army on May 14, 1943 to serve as a Public Relations writer and was assigned to C Company of the 712th Tank Battalion. He participated in major WWII campaigns to include Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Purple Heart for injuries received in combat on August 15, 1944. PFC Wilkes separated from service at Fort Dix, New Jersey on October 31, 1945. After the war, he continued to live and work in New York City. He and Lila Lee had 2 sons named Robin Dale and Timothy Cres. In 1956 he passed away at age 45 in New York City. His six 'Synex' films of General Eisenhower touring Northern Ireland prior to D-Day are located at the Eisenhower Library.