Henry Wise Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Wise Jr.
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Henry Wise Jr.
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| Birth name | Henry Anthony Wise Jr. |
| Born | August 3, 1920 Cheriton, Virginia, United States |
| Died | May 2, 2003 (aged 82) Cheverly, Maryland, United States |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 99th Pursuit Squadron, 332nd Division, Tuskegee Airmen |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
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Henry A. Wise Jr. (August 3, 1920 – May 2, 2003) was an American physician and World War II Tuskegee Airman fighter pilot with the 99th Pursuit Squadron, 332nd Division. He was shot down over Romania and was a prisoner of war. After the war, he became the medical director at Bowie State University.
Contents
Early life
Wise was born in Cheriton, Virginia and he graduated from the all black private school, Virginia Union University.
Career
From 1942 to 1946 served as a pilot in the Tuskegee Airmen. Wise's plane was shot down over Romania near the Polesti oilfields. He spent three months as a prisoner of war.
In 1955 Wise left his family practice to become work as a physician at Prince George's Hospital Center. At that time Wise was the only African American physician. He went on to become the former medical director at Bowie State University
Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School was approved by the Board of Education for Prince George's County Schools in 2005.
Awards
- Air Medal
- Certificate of Valor for Courage in Combat
- Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006
- Pioneer Award for Distinguished Service and Historic Achievement.
- Purple Heart
See also
- Dogfights (TV series)
- Executive Order 9981
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- Military history of African Americans
- The Tuskegee Airmen (movie)
Death
Wise suffered a heart attack and died at Prince George's Hospital Center on May 2, 2003.
