The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee

Our mission is to raise public awareness and funds to erect a Bronze statue of Sgt. Wise in his adopted hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. Sgt. Wise received the Medal of Honor while serving as a Staff Sergeant, Infantry, Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual conflict with the enemy.

By definition, a hero is “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.” Homer L. Wise embodied those qualities, jumping into action to protect his platoon with no regard for his own personal safety. He was a man who never sought recognition or fame for his heroism. In fact, Homer’s own son was 12 years old before he learned from a classmate of his father’s acts of heroism and that he was a recipient of the Medal of Honor. This was a man driven by his instincts to protect and serve his comrades and his country.

Please read the excerpt below from the actual citation signed by President Roosevelt:

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 obtained a Browning Automatic Weapon, and neutralized the frontal fire, allowing his men to move forward. He boldly climbed on a tank, remedied a stoppage in the turret machine gun and fired 750 rounds into the enemy’s positions, inflicting numerous casualties, neutralizing their fire, and allowing the battalion to continue

Master Sgt. Homer L. Wise also received the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, and eleven other decorations. One of the most decorated infantrymen of World War II, Sgt. Wise, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, wound up spending the second half of his life in Stamford, Connecticut. After falling in love with and marrying Madolyn DiSesa (a Stamford native), Sgt.Wise fell in love with Stamford too. He died there in 1974 at the age of 57.

Our country’s history was paved with many great war heroes that have gone unrecognized. We stop to recognize those few that have done something extraordinary, but we often forget the soldiers who are on the front lines of war each and every day—those who dedicate their lives to serving so that we may lead productive, free, and safe lives. Homer’s quiet and unassuming style represents all the heroes who fought in the past and who fight today for the sheer love and loyalty to their country. A statue of this humble man is a tribute to all soldiers: past, present, and future.

In Stamford, Ct alone there are over 10,000 residents who served during WW II. 200 of those residents made the supreme sacrifice. A bronze statue of Homer L. Wise in Stamford will send a clear message of appreciation to our soldiers. The lessons of the past have taught us how important it is to acknowledge and appreciate our soldiers. This is an opportunity for future generations to learn about our war heroes and to see first-hand how much we appreciate their dedication and sacrifices to our great country.

A public acknowledgement of Sergeant Homer L. Wise will ensure that his heroic acts will never be forgotten. We greatly appreciate your interest and support for Sgt Wise and all our great heroes.

The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts, a 501(c) (3), tax exempt organization. To learn more about the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) go to www.NYFA.org.

Link to YouTube video:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxTk_cmrmYk

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