Benjamin Brian Wise
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

After enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2000, upon completion of Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, GA, Wise was assigned to the 520th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis- McChord where he deployed to Iraq as a member of the Battalion Scout Platoon from 2003-2004. In 2005, Wise volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and was selected to continue training as A Medical Sergeant in the Special Forces Qualification Course. After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008, Wise was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne).

On 9 January 2012, then-Sergeant First Class Benjamin Brian Wise was serving with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

On that day, SFC Wise’s unit was engaged in combat action when he sustained what proved to be mortal wounds during a small-arms fight with insurgents. SFC Wise’s courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

SFC Benjamin Wise was one of three sons from the same family who served in uniform, two of whom died in service to their country. His brother, 35-year-old Jeremy Wise, was killed in a terrorist attack on a CIA outpost in Afghanistan in December 2009. Jeremy was a former Navy Seal working as a security contractor.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Knots
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 2
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Benjamin Brian Wise, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while serving with Company A, 3d Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan, on 9 January 2012. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant First Class Benjamin Brian Wise is buried at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Suffolk City, VA, in Section 4, Row 26, Site 16.