WWII eyewitness to heroic action of Medal of Honor recipient Homer L. Wise

We recently had the high honor to speak with John Boner of Mansfield, Ohio. Mr .Boner, 93, served with Sgt. Homer L. Wise in Italy during World War II. Mr. Boner, a sergeant, was an eyewitness to heroic action by Sgt.Wise on that very hot day in Magliano, Italy, June 14, 1944, when Sgt. Wise was awarded the Medal of Honor. He described the moment when Sgt. Wise climbed on top of a disabled tank and fired 750 rounds from the 50 caliber machine gun. Forcing the Germans to retreat and enabled his Battalion to regain their position.

Photos: (Left) Sgt. Boner. far right, first row, being congratulated by Major General John E. Dahlquist, Commanding General 36th Infantry Division, after being presented the Silver Star medal in Germany shortly after the German surrender in May 1945.

(Center) The group photo left to right, Pvt. Robert M. Laub, Chicago, Pvt. William K. Grubb, Chicago, Cpl. John Boner, Mansfield, Ohio and Pvt. Adolph Walla, Waco, Texas all members of the 142d Infantry Regiment of the 36th Infantry Division, in Italy. Pvt. Grubb was later captured by the Germans and became a POW.

(Right) Sgt. John Boner (standing) at the rest camp in Caserta, Italy, late 1943.