Welcome to The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee website!
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.
A soldier during World War II, Homer Lee Wise was a recipient of the Medal of Honor, The Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts and ten other decorations.
One of the most honored soldiers of all time, he made it a quiet point of honor to never mention them to anyone. His own son only found out when he was twelve, from a friend.
In not mentioning-for almost a quarter of a century, that he was a recipient of the Medal of Honor, when doing so would almost certainly have been to his material benefit, he teaches us a lesson worth sharing, and that is exactly what we plan to do by erecting a statue of Homer with a plaque explaining what he did, and why after the war he never mentioned it to anyone, leading the life of an ordinary citizen of Stamford, when of course he was anything but ordinary.
We ask only that you view our website and read about Homer Lee Wise's extraordinary story of quiet bravery, and consider making a small contribution for a statue of a man who made a mighty big one.
All across America, cities and towns are honoring Medal of Honor recipients. The ceremonies are part of a bright, new burst of patriotism that is sweeping the country, honoring men and women who wore and now wear the uniform of our armed forces.
The centerpiece of our mission is to place a larger than life, bronze statue of Sgt. Homer L. Wise in his adopted hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. Sgt. Wise was one of the most decorated soldiers of World War Two; a true American hero who received America's highest military honor - the Medal of Honor - while serving in Italy with Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division.
He was a quiet, soft spoken man who never sought recognition or fame. Incredibly, Sgt. Wise's son was 12 years old before he learned of his father's daring and courage under fire, told not by Sgt. Wise but by a young classmate.
The Medal of Honor citation signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt told Sgt. Wise's story this way:
Magliano, Italy in the summer of 1944 was the scene of intensive resistance by well trained and experienced German soldiers. Fierce machine gun fire hit the 142 Infantry Regiment. The day was hot and artillery fire had set the dry grass ablaze. In the heat of the battle Staff Sergeant Homer L. Wise, squad leader of Company L performed heroically with amazing agility and initiative. While his platoon was pinned down by intensive fire, he and three others went into the fire-swept area to bring a wounded buddy to safety. A German officer and two men challenged him he killed all three. Later he obtained and fired a rifle grenade launcher upon enemy positions causing them to flee. He boldly climbed on a tank and fired 750 rounds into the enemy's positions, inflicting numerous casualties, neutralizing their fire, and allowing the battalion to continue."
Serving on the battlefields of Italy and France, Sgt. Wise also received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, and eleven other decorations. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he fell in love and married Stamford native Madolyn DiSesa. Sgt. Wise not only fell in love with Madolyn, but he fell in love with Stamford, too. He died there in 1974 at the age of 57.
From our Blog
iConnecticut'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.
It has been nearly 68 years since Army Sgt. Homer L. Wise, possibly the only Medal of Honor winner from Baton Rouge, performed his remarkable act of heroism, and almost 38 years since he died. Yet, in his adopted hometown, a new honor is coming his way. A statue of Wise is nearly completed and will be erected later this year in Stamford, Conn., said James L. Vlasto, who chairs the committee that seeks to preserve the memory of Wise's gallantry during World War II.
The magnificent, larger than life bronze statue of Stamford CT's greatest war hero is now in residence in a secure warehouse there. The statue is ready for installation at a special place of honor in Veterans Park, in downtown Stamford.
We are happy to report that donations totaling more $64,000 have been received, mostly in small contributions from veterans and other public spirited citizens, not only from Stamford, but all across the USA.
As far as we've come, there's still a bit of final work to be done. A granite pedestal must be purchased for the statue. A commemorative plaque is needed. And the final installment of the sculptor's fee must be paid. That means only a total of about 23-thousand dollars must be raised. The goal would be met if only four Stamford based corporations contribute little more than $5,000 each or 500 public spirited businesses or patriotic minded families each donate about $50.
As Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Paul Bucha recently put it: "The statue would provide an elegant and meaningful location for residents and visitors to the city to gather. And perhaps most important it would become a 'learning place' for Stamford's children, where they would get to know the value of freedom and the role played by our servicemen and servicewomen who call Stamford home."
Mr. Bucha is a member of the Homer Wise Committee.
You can make a contribution online by clicking the donate button on the web site or by mail payable to Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, Inc. c/o Jean Rinaldi, 21 Fairmont Avenue, Stamford, CT 06906
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.
iConnecticut's only living Medal of Honor recipient announced today he will become a member of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee.
It has been nearly 68 years since Army Sgt. Homer L. Wise, possibly the only Medal of Honor winner from Baton Rouge, performed his remarkable act of heroism, and almost 38 years since he died. Yet, in his adopted hometown, a new honor is coming his way.
Sgt. Wise is back home!
