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Old 01-21-2011, 04:09 AM
HomerWise HomerWise is offline
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Default Paul Bucha joins Committee to honor WWII Medal of Honor recipient Homer L. Wise

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.

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, Bronze Star, 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.


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, Bronze Star, 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.
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Old 01-21-2011, 05:17 AM
DMZ-LT DMZ-LT is offline
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Well done , Sirs. Thank you
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