World War II Honoree

Herman Benjamin "Bud" Wiese

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Collinsville, Illinois

Honored By

Adrienne Colombara

Relationship

Granddaughter

He served in Company C, 66th Signal Battalion. His unit was unique in that they served in every theater of the war. North Africa, Europe (Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, etc.). His unit was then transferred to the Pacific. First to the Philippines and other South Pacific locations before being put aboard ships positioned off Japan to invade Japan. The nuclear bombs were dropped and Japan surrendered. He then was part of the occupation forces in Kyoto, Japan until shipping back to the US. His unit sustained many causalities because the signal corp troops were out front on telephone/telegraph poles installing communications for advancing troops. They were prime enemy targets during the war because of their duties on the poles and radios. Without communications, allies could not coordinate attacks. He was decorated with bronze stars and other medals.