Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee

Medal of Honor recipient Paul Bucha keynote speaker at Veteran Symposium

2011-06-15T10:32:00.003-04:00

MOH recipient Paul Bucha Photo: Eugenie Diserio

Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Paul Bucha was the keynote speaker at the New Canaan (CT) High School’s Annual Veterans Symposium on May 27,2011 that honored 80 veterans from every branch of the military.

From Eugenie Diserio’s article, Veterans Honored at NCHS Symposium in the New Canaan Patch:

"Medal of Honor recipients are no different than other people who believe in a better world," Bucha explained. "They refused to accept death and instead challenged destiny to change things."

"The lesson," he said, "is each of us has the potential to change this world."

Bucha and many of his fellow veterans of the Vietnam War were not welcomed nor thanked when they returned home. Today his mission is to insure veterans in combat or not receive the respect and thanks they deserve for their service.

"Never again will we allow a nation to forget," he said.

Principal Tony Pavia, who organized the event stated:

"These are heroes you have in front of you today, all of these people at the same age as you, left their homes to go to parts unknown," he said.

Pavia asked the students to remember what this weekend is all about -- to honor people who gave their lives for our country.

The ceremony also featured a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Band from Parris Island.

Pavia said he brought in the Parris Island Marine Corps Band to honor the 80 veterans who came to the event. The band played a medley of the songs from each branch of the military. The veterans stood up when their song was played.

After the ceremony Mr. Bucha signed copies of the book, "Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty."

MOH recipient Paul Bucha and New Canaan High School Principal, Tony Pavia are both members of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, which is in the process of raising funds to erect a bronze statue in Stamford, CT of Master Sergeant Homer L. Wise awarded the Medal of Honor on June 14, 1944. Sergeant Wise was one of the most decorated infantrymen of World War II.

Read the rest of the article on The New Canaan Patch

Photo credit: Eugenie Diserio, About Town, New Canaan Patch

A fitting honor for Stamford's quiet hero

2011-06-13T09:33:00.001-04:00

Published 06:56 p.m., Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Stamford Advocate

STAMFORD OP-ED --

No single event had a greater impact on the citizens of Stamford than the Second World War. In a town of approximately 60,000 people, over 10,000 young men and women served their country during the war. They came from all socio-economic backgrounds, all races, religions, and political affiliations. They fought in every corner of the world and contributed as much as any town to the defeat of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. In many respects this was Stamford's finest hour.

Of the 10,000 courageous Stamfordites who served their country, none embodies the virtues of the quiet humble citizen soldier more than Homer Wise. This adopted son of Stamford earned the highest honor given in combat, The Medal of Honor. Just as important, after his years in the military were over, he became a model citizen, a beloved friend and neighbor and to many in Stamford, as much a hero out of uniform as he was in it.

Now, through the efforts of the Homer Lee Wise Committee, a six-foot, three-inch statue is being created in honor of this great American. The figure will show not the face of a man at war, but rather, that of an ordinary young man, who like so many other young men of the time, was called upon to do extraordinary things, the everyman who embraced greatness.

There has been much discussion about a suitable location for the statue of Mr. Wise. It is imperative that it be placed where it would have maximum visibility and broad exposure to the citizens of Stamford.

No place would be more fitting than in Veterans Park in downtown Stamford. This is an ideal location, one where the citizens of Stamford, particularly young children, would be able to look upon a man who represents the very best qualities of the "Greatest Generation." They would be able to read about his valor on June 14, 1944 in Magliano, Italy, where Homer Wise repelled several German attacks and almost single-handedly saved his platoon. They can learn, not only about the courageous acts that led to his Medal of Honor, but also of the numerous other acts of heroism that led to the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters and 10 other decorations. There might also be a small space in the park that would house Mr. Wise's medals, and maybe even serve as a place to honor all Stamford veterans.

The park would also have special historical significance because of its symbolic importance during World War II. It was, after all, the site of the largest patriotic gathering in the history of Stamford. On Memorial Day 1943 an estimated 10,000 citizens gathered at the Old Town Hall to witness the unveiling of the "Stamford Service Roll" in "Central Park." At the time the Service Roll had 5,555 names of Stamford servicemen and women on it. By war's end it would have 10,000 names. That structure was torn down in 1952 and in 1977 it became the site of Veterans Memorial Park, a fitting, solemn and elegant tribute to Stamford's war dead.

Homer Wise spent a fair amount of time in the area, where he served as an Army recruiter. It was not uncommon for people to see this modest man of celebrity, leaving his work at the Old Town Hall and walking across the street to the popular coffee shop Chat `n Chew, both of which faced the present Veterans Park. What better and more relevant location can there be?

It is no secret that Mr. Wise never discussed his Medal of Honor, and in fact his own son only learned of it when he was told by one of his teachers. He was simply never comfortable with his own fame and right up to his untimely death in 1974 he, like all veterans of Stamford, never acknowledged his own heroism. That is all the more reason for us to acknowledge him.

The statue of Mr. Wise is close to completion and needs a permanent home. It is only fitting that we place his likeness in Veterans Park, where Mr. Wise can face his fallen comrades. In giving him such an honor, we not only insure that his memory is honored but also the memory of the other 10,000 Stamfordites who answered their country's call to duty. When future generations of Stamford's children look into the face of Mr. Wise, they will see the perfect embodiment of every humble unassuming hero in Stamford. Such a tribute will do what all historical monuments should do: serve as a link between the past and the present, and a reminder to all of us of the debt we owe those who made this a better world for us.

In choosing this prominent location as a place to honor Mr. Wise, we have an extraordinary opportunity to pay tribute to a man who represents all that we love about Stamford, someone who understood that sometimes we are called upon to make sacrifices for a cause greater than ourselves.

If you would like to make a donation to the bronze statue of Homer L. Wise, please visit www.sgthomerlwisememorial.org.

Tony Pavia, a Stamford resident, is a member of the Homer Lee Wise Committee.

Read the article on The Stamford Advocate

Memorial Day 2011: Flashback to 1958 Medal of Honor recipient Homer L. Wise, Eisenhower and the Tomb of the Unknowns

2011-05-30T12:37:00.002-04:00

Today we celebrate Memorial Day. Fifty-three years ago today, on May 30, 1958, President Eisenhower presided over the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery.

The New York Times reported:

"Two unknown American Servicemen one of World War II and one of the Korean War, were borne to their final resting places today at Arlington National Cemetery. Here on the grassy plaza, overlooking the Potomac Valley, uniformed pall bearers of all the military services laid the two bronze coffins beside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War I."

One of the seven pallbearers was Sgt. Homer L. Wise. Above is a rare photograph taken on that memorable day of the seven pallbearers all Medal of Honor recipients.

Tomb of the Unknowns

On August 3, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill to select and pay tribute to the Unknowns of World War II and the Korean War. The selection ceremonies and the interment of these Unknowns took place in 1958. The World War II Unknown was selected from remains exhumed from cemeteries in Europe, Africa, Hawaii, and the Philippines.

Two Unknowns from World War II, one from the European Theater and one from the Pacific Theater, were placed in identical caskets and taken aboard the USS Canberra, a guided-missile cruiser resting off the Virginia Capes. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class William R. Charette, then the U.S. Navy's only active-duty Medal of Honor recipient, selected the World War II Unknown. The remaining casket received a solemn burial at sea.

Four unknown Americans who died in the Korean War were disinterred from the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. Army Master Sergeant Ned Lyle made the final selection.

Both caskets arrived in Washington on May 28, 1958, where they lay in the Capitol Rotunda until the morning of May 30, when they were carried on caissons to Arlington National Cemetery. President Eisenhower awarded each the Medal of Honor, and the Unknowns of World War II and the Korean War were interred in the plaza beside their World War I comrade.

Please visit our new website: The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee and consider making a donation to help us honor this humble and extraordinary hero.

Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.’ May 5, 1868, Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic declared the first Decoration Day to be held on May 30, 1868

Thank you for your support,

The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee

Photo caption : Body bearers Tomb of the Unknowns 1958 (From left to right) Homer L. Wise, Stamford, CT, World War II, William J. Crawford, Pueblo, CO, World War II, Jerry K. Crump, Forest City, NC, Korean War, Paul B. Huff, Cleveland, TN, World War II, Ronald E. Rosser, Crooksville, OH, Korean War, Donald E. Rudolph, Minneapolis, MN, World War II and Ernest R. Kouma, Dwight, NB, Korean War.

Hero fiance on the way home to her

2011-05-25T17:50:00.001-04:00

Homer and Madolyn Wise

We found an article from the 1944 Stamford Advocate called:
HERO FIANCE ON THE WAY HOME TO HER

STAMFORD ADVOCATE November 29, 1944.

The most excited family in Stamford today was that of Madolyn DiSesa, whose finance, Sgt. Homer L. Wise, just received the Medal of Honor "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity."

His achievement was in battle June14, at Magliano, Italy, in which he fired everything at the enemy from a machine gun to a gun mounted on a tank.

Wise, 27, was decorated by Lieut. Gen. Alexander M. Patch in the presence of five general officers.

"Gentlemen, let's give this man a salute," Patch directed the other generals.

" I wish we had an Army full of soldiers like you, " Patch told the sergeant.

Wise, who holds the Silver Star, Bronze Medal, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters for three wounds in action since June 22, is entitled to a trip home now.

Fiancee Excited

This is the thing the tall blonde Stamford girl is most excited about. " now H.L. will be coming home."

She hadn't had a letter in three weeks and the first news this morning was that there would be a Medal of Honor in the family.

"I've been waiting for him for almost two years and I guess praying really pays off," she said.

Ms. DiSesa met Sgt. Wise during a vacation near Cape Cod, MA over three years ago. "Oh, he's very good looking, over six feet tall, with chestnut hair and very blue eyes. He's the kind of person who wants to do his job and the only thing he would write is, 'Darling I'm in the hospital again, or I'm out again.' He was the first man on Salerno after serving in North Africa, and then sent to France. Just two months ago, a bullet went through his right shoulder, but he said he was lucky because it was a clean wound."

Now near Strasbourg

Sgt Wise is serving in the same division of the Seventh Army with his uncle and most recently around Strasbourg. He has two or three brothers, Ms. DiSesa is not quite sure how many, and a "wonderful grandmother" in Baton Rouge, LA who writes to me all the time and tells me about him. I guess she knows about this and is just as excited as I am."

But H.L. who prefers this to his given name of Homer, is probably more nervous than excited, according to Ms. DiSesa, who should know how he would react.
"He'll probably be more nervous when we finally meet than he was during all those campaigns," she said. "He's very modest and he'd give up his uniform for civvies in a minute, but he never gripes about the Army in his letters. He just figures it's something that has to be done and he's doing his best in a big job."

MOH Homer L. Wise 37th Anniversary April 22, 2011

2011-04-23T12:11:00.000-04:00

Today, Friday, April 22, is the thirty seventh anniversary of Homer Wise's death. Sgt. Wise was Stamford's greatest war hero. During World War II, he was wounded three times during several major battles in Italy and France. He was honored by a grateful nation with the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government; the Medal of Honor. He was also honored with The Silver Star, Two Bronze Stars and ten other decorations.

Homer spent the last thirty years of his life in Stamford, CT. He passed away in 1974 at Yale New Haven Hospital. At the time, he was working at Connecticut National Bank in Darien as a supervisor. The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee is working hard to honor him with a magnificent bronze statue which is now entering its final stage.

We thank you for your continued support.

Stamford Times: Committee raising funds in honor of Stamford soldier

2011-02-14T11:08:00.004-05:00

The Homer L. Wise Memorial, Inc at the Mayor's office in Stamford. From left, Tony Pavia, Jean Rinaldi, Homer's niece, Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia and James S. Vlasto Secretary Treasurer and Project Director, with three foot replica of the statue which is now nearing completion at its full length of six feet three inches.
Photo credit: Stamford Times

The Stamford Times on February 11th, 2011 published an article about our project:

STAMFORD -- Most Stamford residents have driven by Homer L. Wise Park hundreds of times -- and maybe even stopped to sit in the park -- but most people probably have no idea what a great hero Wise really was, said a member of the committee raising funds to erect a memorial statue in honor of the former U.S. Army sergeant.

"Homer L. Wise was a very special soldier who served in W.W.II," said James Vlasto, project director, secretary and treasurer of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee. "He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, The Silver Star, The Bronze Star, a total of 16 awards. He was a real-life hero who received astounding recognition and no one knows about it."

In the spring of 2008, Vlasto created the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee to build a life-size statue of the former Stamford resident, complete with a plaque to tell the community about the World War II veteran and his accomplishments. Currently, Homer L. Wise Park, which is located off Bedford Street in Stamford, only has a sign with Wise's name on it and a small plaque that states he won the Congressional Medal of Honor, he said.

"In 1976, when the park was dedicated to Wise, that small dedication was probably OK," said Vlasto, "but I think that people need to know what a great man he was."

Tony Pavia, who is also a member of the committee, said the most important thing about Wise -- who passed away in 1974 -- is that he was a very humble man, and hardly ever spoke about the awards he received.

"Homer L. Wise is the everyday day man who rose to extraordinary heights to become a hero," said Tony Pavia. "His own son didn't even know that he won the Medal of Honor until he was 12 years old. If you look at the statue, it doesn't depict a king it depicts a common soldier, which is what Wise symbolized."

Mayor Michael Pavia, who is also a member of the committee, said it is important to recognize Wise as a community hero, and celebrate his life and achievements.

"Homer L. Wise is a compelling story," said Michael Pavia. "He was a common, humble man that rose to the occasion when he had to, and deserved the recognition that he received during World War II. There are many war hero stories, and we have one right here in Stamford."

Vlasto said the committee's goal is to have the statue completed before the spring, and no plans have been finalized for where the statue will be placed.

Mayor Michael Pavia said he would like to see the statue placed in Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Stamford.

Tony Pavia said he would be happy no matter where the statue is placed, as long as it is put in a public place where a lot of people could read about Wise.

"I think the statue should be placed in a spot where many people would walk by and read about what Wise accomplished," he said. "I think that every child in Stamford should know who Homer L. Wise was and what he achieved."

Vlasto said the committee has received 80 contributions from residents in Stamford and surrounding communities, totaling $39,897. However, the committee still needs to raise $70,000 to complete the project, he said.

By KARA O'CONNOR
Times Staff Writer

To learn more about the Homer Wise L. Memorial Committee and its efforts, visit www.sgthomerlwisememorial.org or send an e-mail to H.L.Wisememorial@gmail.com.

For full story click here

Paul Bucha Medal of Honor recipient joins committee to honor Homer Wise

2011-01-17T09:05:00.008-05:00

Connecticut's only living Medal of Honor recipient announced today he will become a member of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee.

Paul W. Bucha of Ridgefield, CT was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving as a captain and commanding officer of Company D, 3rd Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, on March 18, 1968 in Vietnam.

Mr. Bucha, a graduate of West Point and former President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, says about Homer L. Wise:

“It is important that among the celebrities for whom we name parks and streets, there are those we also honor who come from everyday America, living anonymously among us, until that mysterious confluence of time and circumstances places them one day in a position where they can see fate has it will be; unless they and they alone reach down within themselves for that hidden potential that resides within each of us, old or young, rich or poor, black or white, male or female, a potential that can literally challenge destiny and change the world.

Such a man was Homer Wise until June 14, 1944, on a hillside in Italy; he found himself needing to act to save himself and his men and he did. And the rest is history.

Men and women like Homer Wise, common everyday people who one day do something extraordinary that literally changes history, remind us each day that each of us if so called upon can find with ourselves the power to challenge destiny and by that power we can change the world."

The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, Inc. is in the process of raising funds to erect a bronze statue in Stamford, CT of Master Sergeant Homer L. Wise awarded the Medal of Honor on June 14, 1944. Sergeant Wise was one of the most decorated infantrymen of World War II. He served in Italy and France and was a member of Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division.

The following is official citation signed by President Richard M. Nixon during the presentation of the Medal of Honor to Captain Bucha on May 14, 1970:

Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Bucha distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer, Company D, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission against enemy forces near Phuoc Vinh, The company was inserted by helicopter into the suspected enemy stronghold to locate and destroy the enemy.

During this period Capt. Bucha aggressively and courageously led his men in the destruction of enemy fortifications and base areas and eliminated scattered resistance impeding the advance of the company. On 18 March while advancing to contact, the lead elements of the company became engaged by the heavy automatic weapon, heavy machine gun, rocket propelled grenade, Claymore mine and small-arms fire of an estimated battalion-size force.

Capt. Bucha, with complete disregard for his safety, moved to the threatened area to direct the defense and ordered reinforcements to the aid of the lead element. Seeing that his men were pinned down by heavy machine gun fire from a concealed bunker located some 40 meters to the front of the positions, Capt. Bucha crawled through the hail of fire to single-handedly destroy the bunker with grenades.

During this heroic action Capt. Bucha received a painful shrapnel wound. Returning to the perimeter, he observed that his unit could not hold its positions and repel the human wave assaults launched by the determined enemy. Capt. Bucha ordered the withdrawal of the unit elements and covered the withdrawal to positions of a company perimeter from which he could direct fire upon the charging enemy. When 1 friendly element retrieving casualties was ambushed and cut off from the perimeter, Capt. Bucha ordered them to feign death and he directed artillery fire around them.

During the night Capt. Bucha moved throughout the position, distributing ammunition, providing encouragement and insuring the integrity of the defense. He directed artillery, helicopter gunship and Air Force gunship fire on the enemy strong points and attacking forces, marking the positions with smoke grenades. Using flashlights in complete view of enemy snipers, he directed the medical evacuation of 3 air-ambulance loads of seriously wounded personnel and the helicopter supply of his company.

At daybreak Capt. Bucha led a rescue party to recover the dead and wounded members of the ambushed element.

During the period of intensive combat, Capt. Bucha, by his extraordinary heroism, inspirational example, outstanding leadership and professional competence, led his company in the decimation of a superior enemy force which left 156 dead on the battlefield.

His bravery and gallantry at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service, Capt. Bucha has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Excerpt from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS)

For more information regarding The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, Inc.’s efforts to raise funds to erect a bronze statue in Stamford, CT, visit our website:

http://www.sgthomerlwisememorial.org/ or contact us by email: h.l.wisememorial@gmail.com

The Story of an Infantryman

2010-09-30T17:41:00.009-04:00

As the battle tested veterans of Company L, 142 Infantry, and 36th Division probed the outskirts of Magliano, Italy on the morning of June 14, 1944 they knew that the German soldiers facing them were strongly entrenched. The men of the 36th had met this enemy before, in Africa, on the bloody beaches of Salerno and in all the bitter battles in Italy.

Leading one of the platoons was a slim Tech Sergeant known to his men as “Blackie” was Homer L. Wise and he had served with the 36th Division since its inception. Sergeant Wise was an outstanding soldier and veteran of three years in the Army and holder of the Silver Star for gallantry in action.

As they approached the town, Wise and his platoon were pinned down by a deadly enemy cross-fire of interlocking machine guns and supporting riffle fire. Seeing the leading scout was seriously wounded. Sergeant Wise immediately jumped to his feet and ran forward through the murderous sweeping of the enemy to try and bring the wounded man to safety. Three other men followed his example, and the four of them carried the wounded man to place of safety where he could receive medical attention.

Sergeant Wise returned to his squad and led them forward to try and take the enemy machine guns by a direct attack, but soon as they moved forward, they were again forced to take cover from increased enemy fire poured on them from an orchard to their front.

Wise saw a German officer and two men moving to the side of his platoon, which was still pinned down, trying to outflank his men. Wise unhesitatingly jumped up, rushed forward and killed all three with bursts from his sub-machine gun.

Returning to his men he found them receiving disastrously effective fire and taking heavy casualties. The enemy gunners were in well protected positions that were immune to the small arms fire of L Company. Laying aside his sub-machine gun, Wise picked up a rifle and grenade launcher from one of the wounded, and yelling above the din of fire for all available rife grenades, he gathered them up and stuffed them in his jacket. He moved forward again through a hail of bullets to a position where he could fire on the entrenched enemy. His deadly fire on the enemy inflicted many casualties and forced the survivors to flee his effective fire and abandon their positions. When his stock of 15 grenades was exhausted he picked up another sub-machine gun and firing from the hip, he pursued the fleeing enemy over the fire swept terrain.

After this strong-point had fallen to his one man attack, Wise started moving his remaining men forward. Once again they received heavy fire from the front, and flanks. The fire was so intense that the men from L Company could not move their machine guns forward and again they were forced to seek cover.

Realizing that the enemy was to far away for his sub-machine gun to be effective, and 6that some action was needed to get the men moving forward again, the sergeant picked up an automatic rifle, stood up and started walking through the heavy fire toward the entrenched Germans, firing his weapon from a standing position. His shooting was so accurate it soon neutralized the enemy weapons. His courageous action so inspired his men that they charged forward and captured the remaining enemy gun positions and crews.

Again on the offensive, L Company was next confronted by an enemy held ridge, honeycombed with enemy strong points. It was decided to by-pass this strong point to continue the Company advance. The enemy on this high ground delivered an effective heavy fire and once again pinned down the now weary, battered men of L Company down. The enemy fire was so fierce that supporting tanks that had followed the company advance were forced to seek cover in a wooded area to the rear. One medium tank stayed in the open to fire its 75 millimeter cannon at the hostile emplacements, but the deadly retaliatory fire forced the tank’s crew to close their vision slits and the tanks effectiveness and firepower was lost.

Once again Sergeant Wise went into action, dashing forward as he saw that the platoon attack had bogged down, casualties were mounting, and the tank nearest him had “buttoned-down and left its machine gun unmanned. By using the hand set at the rear of the tank, he asked why this gun was not giving covering fire to his troops. Told by the tankers that this weapon was jammed and useless, Wise said “Nuts”.

He scaled to the tanks turret and in seconds reduced the jam and began firing the machine gun. The enemy coated the tank with flying lead in an attempt to knock him off the tank and silence the gun. Wise delivered 750 rounds of deadly effective fire on the enemy completely neutralizing the enemy positions on the ridge and allowing the Battalion to move forward and occupy the whole hill mass. This was a major breakthrough of the German defensive line.

Sergeant Wise was awarded our Nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor for this action. The original citation signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt says in conclusion: “The unhesitancy with which Sergeant Wise repeatedly put himself into positions where an escape seemed miraculous, demonstrated a courage unfathomable and his exceeding gallantry and insuperable devotion to duty was a source of admiration to all those who witnessed his intrepid acts, and the memory of it will perpetually inspire our fighting men.

Eight days after this action Sgt. Wise was wounded in action near Grosseto, Italy and was sent to the rear. After hospitalization, Wise rejoined his unit and was with it when they made the invasion of Southern France on August 15, 1944. The day after the landing Sergeant Wise was leading a patrol of six men and came upon an enemy motor pool. Wise concealed his men, walked into the enemy encampment and demanded it surrender. The ruse worked and the seven man patrol captured the motor pool with all of its valuable equipment and 32 enemy soldiers. Wise was awarded the Bronze Star for this action.

Wise continued to serve in a front line unit, receiving another Bronze Star and two additional clusters to his Purple Heart for his second and third wounds. He constantly led patrols behind enemy lines, and when the division was notified to remove him from combat duty to receive the Medal of Honor, Wise was behind enemy lines and presumed missing in action.

On November 28, 1944, in a ceremony near Epinal, France, as Lt. General Alexander M. Patch, the Army Commander hung the light blue ribbon with white stars holding the metal around his neck, the general said, “I wish we had an Army full of soldiers like you”.

Published by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Homer L. Wise Chapter #1932,

Darien, CT August 1991

Major Everett S. Simpson and Homer L. Wise

2010-06-29T00:35:00.022-04:00

Maj. Everett S. Simpson

The following is quote of Major (later Major General) Everett S. Simpson describing the action, published in T-Patch to Victory, 36th Infantry Division France-Germany-Austria, by Colonel Vincent M. Lockhart, published in 1981.

"The regiment was attacking the mountainous area near the town of Tendon, and we were assigned Hill 827 as our objective.The Tendon-LeTholy road was our line of departure. We assumed we were in safe territory, but I did have the sense enough to send out patrols to the flank and front.

"Every patrol that came in reported Germans to our flank and front. I didn't believe the two flank patrols, because their leaders hadn't been with us long, but the patrol to the front was led by Sergeant Homer Wise, who had been awarded the Medal of Honor in Italy, and I knew he knew what he was talking about.

"Major, those woods are full of Germans,' he said. I immediately ordered the attack and we hadn't been going ten minutes until I was wounded. Mortars hit all around us, and my right arm was shattered, and I had shell fragments in my back. My radio operator was killed. I was succeeded by Lt. Col A. Ward Gillette, who commanded the battalion until I came back in January.

"This was about 3 or 3:30 in the afternoon. When I started back, shock set in, and I passed out."

For his action Major Everett S. Simpson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Evrett Simpson and his battalion crossed the wood toward “Gérasat” where there’s a few houses close to the Small Waterfall of Tendon to try to cross the road in the slope that bring to the top of the Hill 827. Here’s a few foxholes at the bottom of the slope.

View of the Town of Tendon, France. Tendon was the scene of a major battle between American and German troops in September 1944.

Photos courtesy of Sylvie and Herve Claudon, Tendon, France.

Sculpting a Hero

2010-06-29T00:13:00.009-04:00

Sculpting a Hero
Written by Janis Gibson Redding CT Pilot
Thursday, 17 June 2010 14:00

Janice Mauro with her sculpture of Master Sergeant Homer L. Wise, Medal of Honor winner. —Photo by Janis Gibson.

Redding artist and sculptor Janice Mauro has recently worked on a commissioned project that has a rare subject.

“During World War II, 16 million men and women served. Only 464 received the Medal of Honor, of whom 266 received it posthumously. That statistic alone compels us to honor this hero,” said James Vlasto of Stamford at the September 2008 launch of a $150,000 fund-raising drive to erect a bronze statue of Master Sergeant Homer L. Wise (1917-1974). Sgt. Wise, who was raised in Baton Rouge. La., but married Stamford native Madolyn DiSesa and settled in that city after the war, was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Magliano, Italy, on June 14, 1944.

Ms. Mauro has been commissioned to create the statue, which will be erected in the Homer L. Wise Memorial Park at Bedford and Chester Streets in Stamford.

“I was very honored to be selected to create this statue of Homer,” said Ms. Mauro, “and even more so as I got to know more about the man.” One of the most decorated infantrymen of World War II, Sgt. Wise also received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, and 11 other decorations.

Creating maquettes (small samples) made of wax, Ms. Mauro presented the committee with a choice of three poses for the statute: standing, seated on bench or portrait bust. The standing pose was selected. She then created a 30-inch-high version, which can be seen on the website homerlwisememorial.org, that gave detail to gesture and attitude. She is now completing the 6-foot, 5-inch version from which the bronze statue will be cast using the lost wax method.

Any sculpture in bronze is a complicated endeavor. “It takes an army of people to take a statue from concept to finished product,” she said. “My job is to to design it to show Homer’s character, his inner strenth, in his face, in his pose and gestures... he stands solidily, sholders back, head to the side, his brows are knitted.

“If you look at Michelangelo’s David,” she continued, “he’s looking at Goliath and wondering if he would survive; Homer was faced with a huge thing, and he made it. In creating a war piece, you want to show conern in his face that we would learn something.

“The emotion in his face is a large part of the stature; all figurative sculture must have that. His feet are firmly planted, his head turning, what is going to happen next? What is the future? I want to show that through his gestures and expression,” she said.

To help achieve the effect she was looking for, Ms. Mauro’s husband, local wine expert Francois Saudeau, posed for her, moving under her direction to get the stance, posture, head turn and other gestures just right. A friend who’s a uniform collector loaned her a piece from his collection so she would be accurate in the details of Homer’s jacket.

Sculpting a Hero

Preliminary studies for the statue of Sgt. Wise. —Photo by Janis Gibson

She is creating the statue in her home studio, called Goodwood Studio, which was constructed from a falling-down porch with 12 broken windows that was converted into a two-story art space when she and her husband moved to Redding eight years ago. Upstairs is a cathedral ceilinged display space for her finished work, while downstairs is the concrete-floored working studio.
In addition to her bronze work, Ms. Mauro is a sculptor in traditional materials, including clay, terra cotta and wax, and enjoys carving, but prefers wood to the physical demands of stone. She also draws and occasionally paints, but scupture is her first love.

Ms. Mauro has modeled heads for Nickelodeon’s Rug Rats and has done puppet, hand and mask modeling for productions by Julie Taymor, including The Lion King, Juan Darien, Fool’s Fire and Transposed Heads. She has also modeled marionettes for Eva Le Gallienne’s Broadway production of Alice in Wonderland and served as studio adjunct for New York artist Richard McDermott Miller (1912-2004) for 30 years.

“I learned everything from Richard,” she said. “I was a bronze chaser, patina person — applying the color chemically — green, black, brown. Homer will be chestnut brown; color is important.”

She noted that there are many other people involved in a statue’s creation other than the sculptor. The foundry, which does the physical casting, “is crucial,” as is the work of the bronze chaser who removes the mold marks and makes sure the piece is as perfect as possible; she will be doing much of that work herself. The statue has to be mounted and installed on site, which is designed by a landscape architect. It should be ready in September, but the 501(c)(3) committee is still doing fund-raising. For more information about Sgt. Wise and the project to honor him, visit sgthomerlwisememorial.org.

Ms. Mauro, who also teaches sculpture at the Silvermine Arts Guild in New Canaan and at the Art School at Old Church in Demarest, N.J., will be a participant in the 21st Annual New Jersey Small Works Show at Mikhail Zakin Gallery, 561 Piermont Road, Demarest, June 19 to July 16. A 2007 sculptor in residence at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina, a National Historic Landmark, she is presenting a workshop there this week. Her sculpture, The Source, entered the Brookgreen collection in 2008. For more information on Ms. Mauro’s work, www.goodwoodstudio.com.

Medal of Honor Recipient Honored by Governor of CT

2009-12-19T14:24:00.004-05:00

Homer L Wise war hero extraordinaire was honored by Governor M.Jodi Rell of Connecticut at the induction ceremony of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame held at the Atrium of the State Legislative Office Building in Hartford, CT on November 17, 2009.

Each inductee or their representative was accompanied by a member of military as they were introduce to audience. James Vlasto, project director of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee represented the family of Homer Wise. Sgt. Wise was nominated by Tony Pavia, principal of New Canaan High School and author of "American Town Goes to War." stories about Stamford veterans who served during World War II.

Remember our veterans and remember Homer Wise by making a donation. You can do so by clicking on the donate button on our website or by check payable to the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, Inc and send to Jean Rinaldi. 21 Fairmont Avenue, Stamford, CT 06906

Tony Pavia Joins in Honoring Homer Wise at Hartford Ceremony

2009-11-29T14:30:00.006-05:00

New Canaan High School Principal Tony Pavia and the author of An American Town Goes to War, a collection of stories of Stamford men who served in World War II. Mr. Pavia, who nominated Homer Wise to the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, holds the medal presented by Governor Rell of Connecticut at the induction ceremony held in Hartford, CT on November 17th.

Homer Wise Honored by Governor Rell of Connecticut

2009-11-22T16:22:00.003-05:00

Brig. Gen. Steven Scorzato, left, Assistant Adjutant General of the Connecticut Army National Guard, holds the certificate presented by Gov. M. Jodi Rell to James Vlasto, Project Director of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, Inc. on behalf of World War II hero and Medal of Honor recipient Homer Wise, as Linda Schwartz, state commissioner of veterans affairs looks on. (Henry Eschricht/contributed photo Stamford Advocate, November 18, 2009)

Stamford World War II hero named to state Veterans Hall of Fame

By Jeff Morganteen

Staff Writer - The Stamford Advocate

11/17/2009

STAMFORD -- When speaking about Homer Lee Wise, friends and relatives usually rely on one word to describe the decorated World War II soldier -- humble.

"He was an ordinary person and he was my uncle," Jean Rinaldi, 66, said Tuesday. "I didn't think of him like a hero or anything."

The U.S. government, however, did think of Wise as a hero, and awarded him the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during a battle against German infantry in Magliano, Italy. It also awarded him a myriad of other medals, including a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

By age 27, he was one of the most decorated World War II infantrymen. In Hartford Tuesday, Wise was also among 11 state residents named to the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.
He was one of two Stamford residents to win the Medal of Honor. John Latham won the honor in World War I.

The city named two parks after both war heroes, and Tony Pavia, author of "An American Town Goes to War," a book about Stamford and its World War II veterans, used to visit Homer Lee Wise Memorial Park at Bedford and Chester streets for history tours with Stamford High School students.

Pavia along with James Vlasto, a Greenwich resident who is trying to raise money to build a statue of Wise, helped nominate Wise for the state's Veterans Hall of Fame. Wise was also named to the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame earlier this month because his hometown was Baton Rouge.

"It's more than just a Medal of Honor," Pavia said of choosing to nominate Wise. "The Medal of Honor alone would have entitled him this. When you look at the total picture, it's more compelling. He became an adoptive son of Stamford."

Vlasto said it's his goal to make sure Stamford residents remember Wise as one of the greatest soldiers in World War II. During his life in Stamford, the war hero remained quiet and tried to deflect questions about his medal with jokes; wise's own son didn't know his father won the Medal of Honor until a classmate told him, Vlasto said.

"The unfortunate part of this story is when he died in 1974, very few people knew who Homer Wise was," Vlasto said. "They named a little park after him on Bedford Street but didn't say anything about him."

That's why Vlasto is trying to raise close to $80,000 to construct a statue of Wise.

Rinaldi said it was only after her uncle's death that she realized the magnitude of his military honors. She never thought of him like an action-hero, but what he did in Magliano, Italy, went beyond what a Hollywood script could offer.

It was June 1944 and Wise's platoon was pinned down by gunfire from German soldiers. Wise left his cover, ran past German bullets, and with three other men carried a wounded soldier to safety.

Then three German soldiers -- an officer and two enlisted men -- appeared to the right of his platoon. Wise, then a staff sergeant, killed the German soldiers with a submachine gun. He then picked up a rifle and began firing at German positions, holding up their advance. He swapped his weapon for an automatic rifle and, leading his men, took out an enemy machine-gunner.

When German gunfire became more intense, he ran up to a nearby tank, unjammed its machine gun, and let loose on enemy soldiers. The German gunfire subsided thanks to Wise and his skill with the machine-gun, and his platoon took the hill that was their objective.

Then Wise came home to Stamford, worked odd jobs and worked as a waiter to help put his son through college.

"If you live through it, it's just amazing that you lived through it," Rinaldi said. "I don't think people brag about that kind of stuff."

Staff Writer Jeff Morganteen can be reached at jeff.morganteen@scni.com or 203-964-2215.

Original Article on Stamford Advocate's website

WW II Museum in Abbeville Honors Homer L. Wise

2009-11-16T15:58:00.000-05:00

The World War II Museum opened in Abbeville, Louisiana, November 15 with the inauguration of the first four inductees in the Hall of Fame, Stephen Bennett is represented by Angela Engle daughter, daughter; Jefferson DeBlanc is represented by Barbara Romero, daughter, Homer L. Wise is represented by James Vlasto and Howard Gilmore is represented by Louis LeBlanc, III.

Published on abbevillenow.com on November 16th, 2009.

Military museum moves ahead

2009-11-13T15:33:00.000-05:00

ABBEVILLE — A dream will become reality Sunday when the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum holds its first induction ceremony and opens Phase 1.

This year's first Hall of Fame class will include Medal-of-Honor recipients Col. Jefferson DeBlanc (Marine Corps) of St. Martinville, Capt. Steven L. Bennett (Air Force), Cmdr. Howard Walter Gilmore (Navy) and Master Sgt. Homer L. Wise (U.S. Army).

Louisiana has had 11 Medal of Honor winners, all deceased. Others will be inducted in later ceremonies, likely on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

The museum, located at 911 Revis Simon Loop on the grounds of the Chris Crusta Airport in Abbeville, honors the service of every Louisiana military veteran.

Bruce Brown • bbrown@theadvertiser.com • November 13, 2009

The Daily Advertiser

Louisiana Military Hall of Fame to open next Sunday in Abbeville

2009-11-07T15:19:00.002-05:00

Four will be inducted

An Army helicopter will be on display in the museum in Abbeville.

By Justin Martin

Incorporated in 1991, the original goal of the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum in Abbeville was to build a museum to honor those veterans from the State of Louisiana.

This coming Sunday, the first giant step toward that goal will be realized as Phase 1 of the project will open to the public. Visitors will be able to peruse the many exhibits within the museum as well as observe F-15 flyovers, parachuters and bands of all kinds.

The highlight of the day will be the inaugural induction into the Hall of Fame. Four Medal of Honor recipients from around Louisiana will be honored posthumously by becoming the very first inductees into the hall at a solemn ceremony at 2 p.m. The seven living Louisiana Medal of Honor recipients will be inducted in the future.

Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne will speak at the event Sunday, which will open the 15th such museum in Louisiana. The event will be free and open to the public; events are slated from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chris Crusta Airport.“Festivities making the opening of the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum in Abbeville will have significance far beyond the event,” Dardenne said. “We will pay rich tribute to our Louisiana heroes, who risked or lost their lives for others.

Organizers say about 400 family members, friends and guests of inductees will attend from all over the United States.Next Sunday’s inductees will be Capt. Steven Logan Bennett of Lafayette, Col. Jefferson J. DeBlanc of St. Martinville, Cdr. Howard W. Gilmore of New Orleans and M/Sgt. Sgt. Homer L. Wise of Baton Rouge.

Bennett was 26 when killed in 1972 during the Vietnam War, leaving behind his wife and young daughter. A captain in the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Pacific Air Forces, USAF, he had received an aerospace engineering degree and served in the ROTC at ULL. Entering the Air Force in 1968, he earned his pilot wings and completed B-52 bomber, and fighter, training. In April, 1972, he reported to Da Nang, Vietnam, and in June was killed at Quang Tri.

Without artillery or tactical air support, he piloted his aircraft to strafe hostile positions. After four passes, the enemy began retreating; on the fifth, his aircraft was struck and caught on fire. Knowing that the parachute of his co-pilot, Mike Brown, had been shredded, he opted to ditch the plane into the Gulf of Tonkin, knowing that a pilot in this type of aircraft had never survived that type of landing. Brown survived and was rescued. A resident of Dallas, he plans to attend, along with a number of Bennett’s family, including his daughter.

DeBlanc, a graduate of ULL, where he joined the Civilian Pilot training program and learned to fly Piper Cubs, he entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, and in 1942, was sent to the Pacific. At age 21, DeBlanc, was a fighter pilot with the U.S. Marine Corps when he shot down five Japanese warplanes in the Battle of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on Nov. 12, 1942. Even knowing fuel was low, he refused to turn back and was forced to bail out over shark-infested waters. After swimming all night to reach an island, he subsisted three days on coconuts. He was discovered by a tribe of indigenous natives who traded him to another tribe for a sack of rice. Aided by the second tribe and an Anglican missionary, he managed to get back to Henderson Field.

After the war, he earned four degrees, including a doctorate in education from McNeese State University. He taught math and science in St. Martinville schools and retired from the Marine Air Reserve in 1972. He died at 86 in November, 2007, in Lafayette. His many family members and friends plan to attend the event.

Cdr. Howard Walter Gilmore of New Orleans became the first U.S. submariner to receive the Medal in WWII, awarded posthumously. He gave his life in a selfless act of heroism that has become an inspiring legend of the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Force. The expression “Take Her Down” was uttered by Gilmore, wounded, as he stood on deck of the USS Growler, under attack in Bismarck Archipelago near New Guinea. He gave the order, knowing that he would not be able to make it before submersion. His crew and submarine made it safely back to port.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, in 1926, he commanded the USS Shark, narrowly surviving an assault by a group of thugs in Panama, who cut his throat in an excursion ashore. In 1942 he took command of the USS Growler, fourth boat of the 81-ship Gatos class and sailed her to the Pacific Theater, where she engaged in three prior missions vital to the nation’s defense. Event planners are still seeking Cdr Gilmore’s friends and relatives.

M/Sgt. Homer L. Wise, U.S. Army, of Baton Rouge was one of the most decorated infantrymen in WWII. He enlisted at age 24 in 1941 and entered combat in 1943. By age 27 he had received the Medal of Honor; within one year he received 11 other medals.

In Magliano, Italy, in the summer of 1944, he was squad leader of Company L, 142nd infantry regiment, when well-trained, experienced German soldiers offered intense resistance. The day being hot, artillery fire set dry grass ablaze. Sgt. Wise and three others went into the fire-swept area to bring a wounded buddy to safety, while combating Germans. Wise later fired a rifle grenade launcher upon enemy positions causing them to flee, and boldly climbed on a tank, remedied a stoppage in the turret machine gun and fired into the enemy’s positions, allowing the battalion to continue.

In 1958 Wise was one of six honorary pallbearers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He was a guest of the President at the inaugurations of Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon and Johnson. Wise was one of the most-decorated infantrymen of WWII. He performed heroically in civilian life also, and died in Connecticut at age 57. The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, Inc. and family members will attend the event to honor M/Sgt. Wise.

Dance bands, food concessionaires, military static displays and flyovers are on the agenda. The Louisiana National Guard Band will perform the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, as the crowd is expected to be large.

The museum’s first phase features exhibits, placing emphasis on the memorial Hall of Fame area. Oral histories now being collected will be incorporated into each exhibit, and visitors will be able to hear the veterans’ stories in their own words. When completed, the museum will include all branches, all wars. Every veteran in Louisiana from as far back as possible will be recognized in a database format. Many veterans and/or their families have donated artifacts to the museum.

The museum will be open to the public that day.

Posted on Abbevillenow.com (Abbeville Meridonial)

Great story of individual heroism came to light

2009-11-06T13:15:00.004-05:00

(Click on photo to enlarge)

We continue to research the military career of Master Sergeant Homer Wise.

"One of the great stories of individual heroism came to light." Stars and Stripes, December 7, 1944

Stars and Stripes was a daily newspaper available to soldiers fighting in Europe, the Pacific, Italy and other areas.

Homer Wise to Be Honored in Louisiana

2009-09-18T15:23:00.001-04:00

Below is a news report published yesterday about the dedication and induction ceremony for the new Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum in Abbeville, Louisiana. Homer Wise was born in Louisiana and settled in Stamford in 1945.

The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee was contacted earlier this year by museum officials and we are working with them and will be represented at the ceremony on November 15.

September 14, 2009 St. Martinville, Louisiana

Military Hall of Fame plans take shape

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

ST. MARTINVILLE — Barbara DeBlanc Romero has no doubt what her father, Medal of Honor recipient Jefferson DeBlanc, would think about his upcoming inclusion in the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum,

"He'd be so proud and happy, for himself and for all the veterans," Romero said. "I can just see Dad smiling."

Romero, her brother, Frank DeBlanc, and his wife, Margaret, were briefed recently about induction ceremonies planned for Nov. 15 at the Chris Crusta Airport in Abbeville.

"You're going to be proud of this building," Johnny Raymond, vice president of the museum board and events chairman, told the family. "You'll be pleased to have your daddy be a part."

Jefferson DeBlanc (Marine Corps), Homer L. Wise (U.S. Army), Howard Gilmore (Navy) and Steven Bennett (Air Force) will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Nov. 15 in phase one of the museum project.

Louisiana has had 11 Medal of Honor winners, all deceased. Others will be inducted in later ceremonies, likely on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

"Phase one will have a 30- by 30-foot octagon shape, with walls 10 feet high," Executive Director Paula Finley said. "The Hall of Fame will be inside those walls.

"There will be oral histories and promotions for phase two. Inside that will be a 15- by 15-foot theater, seating 20 to 25, for films that will be edited to eight to 15 minutes for presentations."
The Nov. 15 program, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., will be part of a day-long festival at the site of the museum on the airport grounds.

Also at the meeting last Wednesday, architect Randy Rivera of Lafayette presented his vision of the permanent phase two hall of fame and museum.

"It's always important to us to consider location, context and content," Rivera said. "We look for stories and how to tell those stories."

Rivera said the spark for his swooping, futuristic design was the vapor trail left by airplanes taking off from aircraft carriers. He described the design as "a runway, like a Band-Aid going up and over to form the roof for the museum."

Hall of Fame members will be memorialized in 5- by 10-foot glass monuments in an outdoor reflecting pool, with their likenesses and information etched in silver.

"This is beautiful," Romero said when shown the dramatic design. "I can't believe this."
Once ground is broken on the museum, Rivera estimates it will take 24 months to complete construction.

"We got the money allocated for the project in 2006," Finley said. "Sen. Nick Gautreaux got the bill passed. Then, in this last legislative session, Sen. Mike Michot was able to get us an additional $150,000."

Once phase one is complete, the secretary of state's office will cover up to $100,000 for operation of the museum. The state Legislature has granted a total of $350,000.

"It's all going at an exceedingly rapid pace," Finley said. "Once we're open, we can apply for federal grants and foundation grants. So, it will accelerate after Nov. 15. We're hopeful, if we can get private and legislative support, to start phase two by 2010.

"We want to honor every veteran from Lousiana as far back as we can go."

Jefferson DeBlanc would like that.

Oklahoma City: Oklahoma can do it so can Stamford

2009-09-18T15:01:00.005-04:00

Broken Arrow War Hero Honored With Statue

Enlarge this picture

Childers threw rocks at the German machine gun position. The soldiers fled, presumably thinking the rocks were hand grenades.

Enlarge this picture

Childers was born in Broken Arrow on a farm that was part of his father's Creek tribal allotment.

www.NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Broken Arrow native who took out a German machine gun position while himself injured will be honored with the dedication of a statue Friday, September 25.
The late Lt. Col. Ernest Childers, Native American and 45 Infantry Division veteran who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Italy during World War II, will be honored with the dedication of a statue on September 25 at the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City. The dedication will take place at 10 a.m. in front of the Museum, 2145 N.E. 36th St.

Childers was born in Broken Arrow on Feb. 1, 1918, and was raised on a farm that was part of his father's original Creek tribal allotment. He was the middle of five children all of whom his mother raised after Childers' father died.

In 1937, after graduating from the Chilocco Indian School, Childers enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and was mobilized with the 45th Infantry Division for service in Europe during World War II.

Childers, who held the rank of First Sergeant, distinguished himself during combat operations in Sicily and received a battlefield commission to the rank of Second Lieutenant.

On Sept. 22, 1943, Childers organized a group of eight soldiers to help clear a route for the Division's advance. In the pre-dawn mist, Childers came under fire and fell into a shell crater and broke his ankle. Childers tried to crawl to an aide station, but it was destroyed by enemy fire before he made it.

"I crawled back and told my men to lay down a base of fire over me," he told an interviewer. "You see, I had to crawl because of my broken ankle. I was crawling up a slope of a hill. I came up behind one of the German machine gun nests that had us pinned down."

As the Germans were turning their machine guns toward Childers, he was quicker and shot them dead. From the first German position, Childers could see a second position within throwing distance.

He picked up several rocks and threw them into the second German position.

"I assume they thought it was a hand grenade, because nobody throws rocks," he said.

Then the Germans scrambled out of the hole, Childers shot one of them and another U.S. soldier killed the other. After securing the German machine gun positions, Childers single-handedly captured an enemy mortar observer at a house further up the hill.

As he moved up the hill, Childers trained his M1 Carbine on a German soldier that was walking toward him. Childers could not shoot the enemy soldier because he was out of ammunition.

"My body was wet with sweat since the German was fully armed, and I was holding an empty rifle on him. That German was the only surviving German in the entire action of that day," said Childers.

On April 13, 1944, after arriving at Devers' headquarters, Childers learned that he had been selected as a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on Sept. 22, 1943. The Medal of Honor was presented to Childers that afternoon.

The statue of Childers, which will stand in front of the 45th Infantry Division Museum, was commissioned by the Muskogee (Creek) Nation and created by Oklahoma artist Sandra Van Zandt. In 2008, Van Zandt created another statue of Childers which stands at the entryway of the Veterans Administration Building in Tulsa.

Letter to the Editor Stamford Advocate

2009-08-20T04:32:00.003-04:00

The Liberty Tree Memorial

To the editor:

The Liberty Tree Memorial planting and plaque dedication at Fort Stamford on July 4 was a very successful event. For me, it was a wonderful experience and the weather could not have been better. I would like to thank all those who attended for their support and contributions. Without all of you, the event would not have been a success.

I would like to personally thank Mayor Dannel Malloy, his cabinet, constituents and all the residents of Stamford. Without their support this event could not have taken place.

In addition, I would like to send out a very special thank you to the following for their support and participation. Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele; Attorney General Richard Blumenthal; city Director of Operations Benjamin Barnes; the Stamford Fire Department with Chief Robert McGrath and the firefighters who participated with their ladder truck and American flag assembly; the Stamford Police Department and officers who attended; state Reps. Gerald Fox III, William Tong and Patricia Miller; Stamford Administrative Services Bureau Chief Michael Docimo; Parks Department personnel; Monsignor John Squiller from Saint Basil's College; Veterans of Foreign Wars Springdale Post 9617; American Legion Post 3; The Sea Cadets; Cub Scouts Pack 28 Roxbury School; Springdale Florists; Homer Lee Wise Memorial Committee, Mr. James Vlasto; European Deli, Mrs. Zofia Brice; Frankie's Hot Dog Truck, Mr. Frank Moretti; the audio system from Mr. John Nestor; Mr. Tony Panaro; Mr. Dino Milioti; Mr. Emilio Funicella; Mr. Tony Uva; Mr. Carmine Vaccaro.

I would also like to thank my family for their patience, support and participation.

Ron Markey

The writer is the city's assistant tree warden.

Medal of Honor memorial to be built this fall - The Daily of the University of Washington

2009-08-07T17:33:00.003-04:00

By Michael Truong
July 22, 2009

UW alumnus John “Bud” Hawk earned a Medal of Honor for his actions near Chambois, France, on Aug. 20, 1944, during the Normandy campaign, which led to the surrender of more than 500 German soldiers, and is one of seven UW alumni that have been identified as Medal of Honor recipients.

Photo by Courtesy Photo.

A digital rendering of the proposed Medal of Honor memorial on the UW campus.

This fall the UW — holding the highest number of Medal of Honor recipients in the United States, excluding military service academies — plans on commemorating Hawk and the six other UW alumni Medal of Honor recipients by building a memorial in the traffic circle on the south end of Memorial Way, near the flag pole.

While the Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the U.S. government, recipients, such as Hawk, deflect the recognition away from their individual accomplishments.

“I was only one of 16 [million] to 18 million people serving [in World War II]. You do the best you can for the people around you, and they will do the best they can for you,” Hawk said.

He also said that he never did anything more than the people he served with.

When asked about his accomplishments, Hawk spoke ambiguously about his actions and redirected the conversation to focus on service and the selfless actions performed by many of his comrades.

Hawk’s humility is perhaps one of the core characteristics that will be featured in the UW memorial; indeed, the design will feature a five-pointed star and five words that embody the characteristics of a Medal of Honor recipient. University officials are working with the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to determine which words will be selected for the completed design.

The memorial was originally projected at $110,000, but the actual costs were increased to $150,000.

“We wanted to use top quality work and materials for this memorial,” said George Zeno, executive director of scholarships and student programs. The memorial is completely funded through private donations.

The public dedication is expected to draw high-profile dignitaries including past Medal of Honor recipients, veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam Wars, UW veterans of the current Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Gov. Chris Gregoire, senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, congressional representatives and key financial donors to the project.

NBC news anchor, Brian Williams, has been asked to emcee the public dedication.

Zeno, who has worked extensively on the Medal of Honor project, emphasized that, despite the deserved attention this project is anticipated to receive, many of the Medal of Honor recipients want the memorial to recognize service, not individual achievements.

“A number of [Medal of Honor recipients] will tell you … they never asked to be a hero,” Zeno said. “And humility is one of the biggest characteristics of a recipient. They will tell you they were just doing their jobs. Their actions weren’t about heroic actions; they were about doing everything they could for those around them.”

University officials are finalizing plans for a memorial commemorating Medal of Honor recipients who graduated from or attended the UW. The memorial will be completed this fall and will be dedicated on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, 2009.

Reach reporter Michael Truong at

news@dailyuw.com.

Resources: Medal of Honor memorial to be built this fall - The Daily of the University of Washington

Monument honors ‘special breed' of soldier

2009-08-07T17:25:00.002-04:00

By MARTIN J. KIDSTON of the Helena Independent Record

FORT HARRISON - Leading four men, Cornelius Smith drove off a superior Indian force and held his ground in White River, S.D., against repeated counterattacks.

It was there on the Great Plains in January 1891 that Smith finally fell while in the service of his country.

The soldier, who joined the Army out of Helena and served in the 6th U.S. Cavalry before his death at White River, is one of just eight Montana men to ever receive the military's highest commendation in the Medal of Honor.Like the other seven men remembered here in the Medal of Honor Grove west of Helena, Smith's is a story of courage under fire and dedication to his fellow soldiers.

“Medal of Honor recipients are a special breed,” said Joe Foster, Montana Veterans Affairs administrator, standing beside Smith's marker at the Fort Harrison monument. “In Montana, particularly, you don't hear much about it.”

Created more than a decade ago, the monument has blossomed in the shadows of the fort, getting little attention and even fewer visitors.

It was never officially dedicated, and few ceremonies have been held on its meticulously landscaped grounds.

Ken Larson, a veteran of the Korean War who served 39 years in the military, thinks it is time for that to change. The former Airman and retired Montana Guardsman is looking to put the monument on the map, so to speak, and give it the attention he says it deserves.

“Only a half-dozen people in Helena know anything about it, and in this day and age, I think people ought to know about it,” Larson said. “There are eight men in there. It's very impressive. It goes back a long ways.”

Montana claims one of the largest veteran populations per capita of any state in the union. But the fact that so few in the state have won the Medal of Honor in 130 years of Montana military history make it a hard-earned and highly respected award.

There were two from the Indian Wars, including Cornelius Smith and John McLennon, and one from the Philippine Insurrection, that being John Moran, who served with the U.S. Volunteers before his death on the battlefield in September 1900.

Other sacrifices are remembered here as well, including that of Leo Powers, who joined at Alder Gulch and died in Cassino, Italy, on Feb. 3, 1944.

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty,” his marker reads.

The other Montanans who were awarded the medal also served during World War II - William Galt of Stanford; Laverne Parrish of Ronan; Donald Ruhl of Columbus; and Henry Schauer of Scobey.

Foster, who once served as the public affairs officer for the Montana National Guard, helped drive the monument from concept to creation.

He remembers the aging buildings and the parking lot that once sat here. When he looks around, he admits to liking the improvements.

“I think we started the process in 1999,” Foster said. “It was about a year-and-a-half deal to get it going.”

The monument holds a small plot of ground just inside the gate at Fort Harrison. The ground is softly rounded and the grass golf-course green. A pathway leads visitors on a circular stroll past nine markers, each inscribed with names, dates and battlefield heroics.

That ninth marker is blank, leaving room for the unlikely possibility that Jim Darcy, a Montana helicopter pilot who died in Vietnam, receives the high commendation some feel he deserves.

“There have been efforts through the years for him to receive the Medal of Honor,” Foster said. “It has never come to fruition, and perhaps it never will.”

Foster points to the small trees growing beside each marker. The trees are historic, spliced from famous trees casting shade over historic locations around the country.

A green ash with a link to Dwight Eisenhower grows behind Leo Powers' marker. A red maple with ties to Charles Lindbergh grows beside the plaque remembering John Moran.

There's a white ash spliced from a tree at the Appomattox Court House, a catalpa taken from the Chatham House, and a silver maple remembering the Minutemen.

“Ultimately, what we're hoping is that this all becomes an educational centerpiece, where perhaps students will come out here and learn about this aspect of Montana's military heritage,” Foster said. “But the recognition was the biggest thing.”

The monument sits across the street from the growing Montana Military Museum. The museum's own display of history begins with the Indian Wars and extends through World War II. Pending an expansion, it may soon allow more room to continue the history through modern times.

The monument's location near the museum is no accident. But while the museum draws visitors from around the state and beyond, the monument does not.

“I've been out at the Fort for 50 some years in various ways,” Larson said. “I've done a lot of things out there and I'm really interested in that Fort. I want people to know about this monument.”

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at (406) 447-4086 or at mkidston@helenair.com.

Resources:
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Medal of Honor Recipients Plan Big Showing for Convention

2009-08-07T17:09:00.004-04:00

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2009 – At least 59 of the 96 living Medal of Honor recipients are expected to attend the upcoming annual convention of the society named for them.

The host committee of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s convention, scheduled for Sept. 15 to 19 in Chicago, announced the number in a statement released on the convention Web site, noting the unlikelihood of assembling that many recipients of the military’s highest honor at once.

Of the 42 million men and women who have served in the military since the award began during the Civil War, only 3,447 have been presented the Medal of Honor, many of them posthumously.

“Statistically, only about 1 percent of America's population will ever be in the same room with one Medal of Honor recipient,” the committee wrote. “A much smaller fraction of that will ever have the opportunity to actually meet a recipient.

“Recipients will tell you that while they understand courage, they felt intense fear … and it is the ability to overcome fear in any situation that leads one to strength and understanding … with strength and understanding, comes courage. With courage, comes sacrifice,” the committee wrote.

To each of the recipients, what they did was very logical, the committee wrote. “The human quality they have an over abundance of is courage.”

Under the convention theme, “Commit to Courage,” the society profiles the following recipients as examples of courage in combat:

-- Mike Thornton, a Navy Seal in Vietnam who, upon learning that his commander, Tom Norris, was presumed dead from an enemy ambush, ran into intense enemy fire to rescue Norris, then swam two and a half hours with him and another comrade on his back to safety. When Thornton was awarded the Medal of Honor, he spirited Norris out of the hospital where he was recovering to the White House ceremony so they could be together. Several years later, when Norris himself was awarded the Medal of Honor -- for a covert action known now as "The Rescue of Bat 21" - Thornton was by his side. On that day, Thornton became the first recipient in more than 100 years to have saved the life of another recipient.

-- Walter Ehlers spent much of World War II training and fighting side by side with his brother, Roland. Ehlers brought his company out of a Higgins boat 100 yards off shore and landed just before the second wave in a hail of fire on D-Day at Normandy, France. He got all his men safely across the beach and, the following day, moved miles in country. Among the hedgerows there, Ehlers distinguished himself in saving the lives of wounded comrades who came upon intense machine gun fire. He would learn several weeks later that, farther down the beach in Normandy, his brother never made it to shore on D-Day.

-- Gary Littrell, on a hill in Vietnam, began defending against a vicious enemy offensive with 247 men and came off the hill with fewer than 50. One witness statement said simply "Littrell was everywhere" exposing himself to intense fire during the hours-long battle, directing troops, providing radio support, ammunition, evacuation of wounded. In the end, Littrell was never wounded -- in his words, "not a scratch."

In its statement, the committee said it chose this year’s theme as “a rallying call to the citizens of Chicago, our students and all members of our armed forces who serve our country past and present to take the initiative, respond to the challenge, and act responsibly - indeed, courageously -- when the opportunity presents itself in our daily lives.”

(From a message from the host committee for the 2009 Chicago Commit to Courage Medal of Honor Convention.)

2009 Chicago Commit to Courage Medal of Honor Convention September 15th-19th 2009
U.S. Department of Defense

Image: Chicago Commit to Courage Medal of Honor Convention Website

City of Stamford, CT Honors Medal of Honor Recipients

2009-07-10T18:27:00.010-04:00

The city of Stamford, CT, V.F.W. Springdale Post 9617 and The American Foreign Legion, Post 3.honoring Master Sergeant Homer L. Wise, awarded the Medal of Honor on June 14, 1944 during World II and Captain John C. Lathman, awarded the Medal of Honor, September 29, 1918 during World War 1.

Photo album of the Liberty Tree Planting and Plaque Dedication, Fort Stamford Park, Stamford, CT, July 4, 2009.

Medal of Honor Anniversary

2009-06-14T21:19:00.002-04:00

Today marked the 65th Anniversary of the day, Homer L. Wise was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during a major battle in Magliano, Italy on June 14, 1944.

For more information click on our YouTube video below:

Memorial Day Parade 2009 Stamford, CT

2009-06-09T17:44:00.002-04:00

We have just added photos of highlights of the 2009 Stamford, CT, Memorial Day Parade.

Marchers included veterans representing Springdale Chapter 9617.

The parade held on May 24, 2009, featured a sign supporting the efforts of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee on a World War II jeep driven by Michael Pavia, a member of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee.

www.sgthomerlwisememorial.org

View photos of the parade

Welcome to the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee Blog

2009-06-02T03:08:00.009-04:00

Welcome to our blog and updates!

Homer Lee Wise was a loving husband, devoted father and caring uncle. He was a modest man. He kept a beautiful yard. He worked at humble jobs. He grilled dinner in his backyard when the weather was warm.

Few knew that he was also the recipient of the Medal of Honor, The Silver Star, The Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts and eleven other decorations during World War II. Even his son didn’t know of his accomplishments until he was 12 years old, when a schoolmate told him.

During World War II, 16 million men and women served. Only 464 received the Medal of Honor. And, here in Stamford, CT one of those brave men; fell in love with Stamford’s Madolyn DiSesa, lived simply and modestly and spent the remainder of his life in Stamford until his passing in 1974 at the age of 57.

The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee is a small group of private citizens who with the help and support of the New York Foundation of the Arts (our fiscal sponsor) are planning to raise a bronze statue of Homer L. Wise in the Homer Lee Wise Memorial Park on Bedford and Chester Streets.

The renowned artist and sculptor Janice Mauro of Redding, CT has been commissioned to create this statue which will stand over six feet tall, on a granite base with an engraved plaque.

Not only will this statue beautify our park but will stand as a reminder, for us all; and our future Stamford citizens, of the modesty and humility which were and are the true qualities of our brave Americans, who serve our country and fight for our freedom, so we can lead safe and fulfilling lives.

Please visit our website, view our YouTube video, read more about Homer L. Wise and make a contribution. We know these are challenging times, but every contribution brings us one step closer to leaving a legacy of honor, humility and service for our future generations to be guided by and as an inspiration and a reminder of America’s true values.

Thank you for your support,

Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee