Carl Ernest Wise Jr. is the March 2023 Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month. Pictured (L to R) are Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell, County Commissioner Bob Conley, Wise and County Commissioner Cary Groninger. Commissioner Brad Jackson attended Tuesday’s meeting virtually. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
Carl Ernest Wise Jr. is the March 2023 Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month. Pictured (L to R) are Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell, County Commissioner Bob Conley, Wise and County Commissioner Cary Groninger. Commissioner Brad Jackson attended Tuesday’s meeting virtually. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
A Vietnam veteran originally from Pennsylvania is the March 2023 Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month.

Carl Ernest Wise Jr. was presented the award by the county commissioners on Tuesday after Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell read Wise’s biography.

“This story is a little different from the ones I normally tell here. This is one that not only talks about what Kosciusko County brings to keep our folks staying and living and prospering here, but also what pulls them to us, to remain or become part of our population in Kosciusko County, through our employment opportunities, recreation and high-level education, just to mention a few,” McDowell said.

Wise was born in Fayette County, Pa., and is one of two children.

He graduated from Uniontown High School in Fayette County in 1960. After high school, he attended Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania, before being drafted into the U.S. Air Force in February 1964. He was trained to be a fire and rescue airman.

In May 1966, he was deployed to Vietnam and stationed with the 677 Civil Engineering Squadron in Pleiku, Vietnam. He left Vietnam in June 1967 and was assigned to England Air Force Base in Alexandria, La., for about eight months until his discharge date.

He served four years in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in February 1968 with the rank of staff sergeant (E-5). During his service, Wise received the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

After serving his country, Wise returned to Pennsylvania to work as an insurance salesman with an insurance company based out Baltimore, Md. After almost a decade of encouragement from his son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Ruth finally made the moved to Warsaw in 2004.

He married Ruth in June 1964 and they will enjoy their 59th wedding anniversary in July.

McDowell said, “He feels this was made possible through their loving care of each other and taking care of one another along the way.”

They have one child and one grandchild.

Carl and Ruth continue to live in Winona Lake.

Upon receiving the framed certificate, Wise said, “I’m proud to serve my country. It was a difficult time in this country, and I was always so proud to serve my country and I would do it again. I really appreciate Kosciusko County. You folks really go out and take care of your veterans.”