1LT Ernest H. Wise

1LT Ernest H. Wise was born in Baltimore, Maryland on 6 Dec 1913. He was the oldest of Flora M. Wise's 2 children. Flora supported the children by working in a shirt factory but Ernest had to work at age 16 as a messenger for a printing shop. He still managed to complete high school. He also worked as a sales clerk in a stationery store earning a reported 1939 income of $728. 

Needing more income, on 1 Apr 1931 Ernest enlisted as a PVT in a Maryland National Guard infantry unit, probably the 5th Regiment headquartered in Baltimore. He continued to serve, rising to the rank of SGT by 1940. On 24 Sep 1940 Ernest was commissioned as a 2LT with National Guard recognition. His unit was federalized (mobilized) on 3 Feb 1941 and the federal recognition of his rank begins on that same date. The unit was sent to Fort George Meade, Maryland for processing and initial training and the 5th Regiment was re-designated as the 175th Infantry, one of the 3 regiments of the 29th Infantry Division. We are unsure of 2LT Wise's assignments after mobilization but do know that he was promoted on 21 May 1942. 1LT Wise was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry on 1 Jun 1944 along with other officers assigned to the assault companies just prior to the invasion to ensure that there were more leaders available on the beach in the event of anticipated casualties. 1LT Wise landed with F Company on 6 Jun 1944 and was killed in action when he was shot on that day.

SGT Warner Hamlett of F Company had this account of 1LT Wise's death: 

"We were supposed to wait at the seawall until wire cutters could cut the tremendous web of wire that the Germans had placed on top of it. During this time, Lieutenant Wise of F Company was directing his team behind the seawall, when a bullet hit him in the forehead. He continued to instruct his men until he sat down and held his head in the palm of his hand before falling over dead."

1LT Wise rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery. 

Note: While Ernest's date of death is officially recorded as 9 Jun 1944 eyewitness reports such as SGT Hamlett's clearly note his time and place of death and while the initial date in the morning reports was given as 9 June it was corrected there to 6 Jun 1944 when the unit was able to confirm that information.