Staff Sergeant Homer L. Wise, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on June 14, 1944 in Magliano, Italy during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company L, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Wise was 27 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of First Sergeant.
Wise was born on February 27, 1917 in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. Wise died on April 22, 1974 in Springdale, Connecticut, at the age of 57. He is buried at St. John's Cemetery in Darien, Connecticut.
Wise is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 24 credited to Louisiana.
Official Medal of Honor citation
While his platoon was pinned down by enemy small-arms fire from both flanks, he left his position of comparative safety and assisted in carrying one of his men, who had been seriously wounded and who lay in an exposed position, to a point where he could receive medical attention. The advance of the platoon was resumed, but was again stopped by enemy frontal fire. A German officer and two enlisted men, armed with automatic weapons, threatened the right flank. Fearlessly exposing himself, he moved to a position from which he killed all three with his submachine gun. Returning to his squad, he obtained an M1 rifle and several antitank grenades, then took up a position from which he delivered accurate fire on the enemy holding up the advance. As the battalion moved forward it was again stopped by enemy frontal and flanking fire. He procured an automatic rifle and, advancing ahead of his men, neutralized an enemy machine gun with his fire. When the flanking fire became more intense he ran to a nearby tank and, exposing himself on the turret, restored a jammed machine gun to operating efficiency and used it so effectively that the enemy fire from the adjacent ridge was materially reduced, thus permitting the battalion to occupy its objective.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Homer L. Wise received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II, Allied invasion of Italy, Western Front, Operation Dragoon.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Louisiana →
Timeline
- February 27, 1917Born in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana
- June 14, 1944Act of valor — Magliano, ItalyAge 27. Company L, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division
- April 22, 1974Died in Springdale, ConnecticutAge 57.
- Resting placeSt. John's CemeteryDarien, Connecticut
Biography
Homer Lee Wise (February 27, 1917 – April 22, 1974) was a United States Army soldier who received the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. After dropping out of school and working odd jobs he joined the Army at the age of 24 and after completing training was sent to Europe during World War II to fight in the Allied invasion of Italy. He continued fighting in various locations and battles throughout Europe, receiving the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions in combat. After he was discharged from the Army he worked at a local college before re-enlisting in the Army.
From the Wikipedia article “Homer L. Wise”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
