World War II Honoree

Martin James Wisse

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Paterson, New Jersey

Honored By

A Grateful American

HE ENLISTED IN THE US NAVY IN 1942, AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 1ST BATTALION, 6TH REGIMENT, 2ND MARINE DIVISION. HE FOUGHT AGAINST THE JAPANESE IN THE PACIFIC CAMPAIGN OF WWII ON THE ISLANDS OF GUADALCANAL, SAIPAN, AND TARAWA AND RECEIVED THE PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARDED THE 2ND MARINE DIVISION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN COMBAT DURING THE SEIZURE AND OCCUPATION OF TARAWA IN THE GILBERT ISLANDS. HE WAS WOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 1943 WHEN HE WENT TO THE ASSISTANCE OF A MARINE WHO HAD BEEN HIT BY SHRAPNEL FROM BOMBS DROPPED BY A JAPANESE 'DIVE BOMBER' AIRCRAFT. HE WAS ALSO WOUNDED AT SAIPAN IN JULY 1944.