Born in June, 1883 in Brooklyn, NY, Wise served in the Spanish-American War as a Naval Cadet in 1898 at age 15, aboard the U.S.S. Yale, which was commanded by his father, Capt. William C. Wise, USN. He was appointed a Second Lieutenant of Marines on June 21, 1905. His West Indies and Spanish Campaign medals were awarded for his Naval Cadet service but with USMC reverses. As noted, the West Indies is mounted on a very old Sampson ribbon. He was not aboard for the action for which the YALE qualified for the Sampson Medal but apparently fancied himself as entitled based on the ribbon on the West Indies medal. His later USMC Sea Service included USS Connecticut, Nov 1907 to Nov 1907 with inclusive service on shore at Guantanamo, Cuba. Ashore at Camp Elliott, Isthmian Canal Zone from May 1906 to March 1910 when he left for duty at Marine Barracks, Philadelphia and later MB, Newport, R.I.. Later on the staff of the Marine Officer=s School at Port Royal (Paris Island), SC. Joined MB, Norfolk, VA as Post Adjutant and C.O. Had detached Expeditionary service in Cuba. Then to MB, NY in April 1915. He joined USS Louisiana in June 1915 in command of the Detachment. In May 1916, he was admitted to hospital at MB, Mare Island, CA where he remained until October, 1916 and remained on sick list for 3 months from Oct. 27, 1916. He was assigned to the Paymaster=s Department in March, 1917 and promoted Captain that same month. He received temporary promotion to Major in Oct 1917. He joined the staff of BGen Eli Cole, HQ, 5th Marine Brigade Sept 1918 and embarked for France. Upon arrival on Sept. 25th he was admitted to Naval Base Hospital #1 at Brest, France and on recommendation of a medical survey was returned to the U.S. Oct. 12th, 1918. He later served at Parris Island, aboard U.S.S. Huron at Cavite, P.I., MB, Cavite, HQ, Dept of the Pacific at San Francisco, MCB, San Diego, MCB, Quantico, VA, 2nd Brigade, Nicaragua and back to the Dept of the Pacific where he retired in August 1935 as a LtCol. on completion of 30 years service. He was recalled to active duty on 1 July 1940 at the Dept. of the Pacific where he remained throughout WW2, advancing to Colonel and serving as Chief of Staff. He received the Legion of Merit in Aug. 1945 having returned to retired status in Jul 1945. His Naval Legion of Merit is a classic example of what this award should look like. Note the gilt full-wrap brooch with typical U.S. Mint production ball lock.
Semper Fi......Bobgee
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