Maj. Wilkins was born in Portland Oregon. While serving with the 20th Fighter Group He went missing. According to the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) #1437 Maj Wilkins had problems taking off for his mission on 7 Nov 1944, he ended up taking off on the wrong runway 7 minutes after his formation had already left. According to the report there were no communications after takeoff, neither he nor his P-38H Buno #42-67022 were seen again. He left behind a wife and two kids.
https://www.oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:fx71bn21k#page/12/mo... (pg 4)
https://www.oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:fx71bm025#page/15/mo... (pg 15)
https://www.oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:fx71bn26z#page/13/mo... (pg 11, 12)
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56295570
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/120051
https://www.fold3.com/image/28703016?terms=wilkins http://goldstarfamilyregistry.com/heroes/john-wilkins-226474