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Home Town Somerville, Massachusetts
Last Address USS Thresher Body not recovered/lost at sea.
Date of Passing Apr 10, 1963
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Donald Edward Wise was born on November 11, 1931, in Somerville, Mass., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dexter L. Wise. He attended public schools in Massachusetts prior to entering the naval service in December 1948, at age 17.
He received his basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill., and was later assigned to the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Salem (CA 139). Between torus of duty ashore at the naval installations at Norfolk, Va.; Argentia, Newfoundland; and New London, Conn., he subsequently served in the fleet oiler, U.S.S. Salamonie (AO 26), and the ammunition ship, U.S.S. Surbachi (AE 21).
Donald then volunteered for submarine duty and was accepted for training at the Submarine School located a the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn. He was graduated on April 10, 1957. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Hardhead (SS 365), in which he became qualified as a submariner and was awarded his silver dolphins on April 24, 1958. He was selected for advance training in nuclear power and attended the schools at New London, and West Milton, N.Y. He successfully completed the course of instruction and on February 27, 1961, he was assigned to the nuclear powered submarine U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593).
During his naval service Donald had earned the Navy's Good Conduct Medal (four awards); National Defense Service Medal, Navy Occupations Medal with European Clasp, and the Navy Commendation Medal.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Virginia R. Wise of Arlington, Mass.; five chilren, Donald, Jr., Patit Anne, Nancy Ellen, John Arthru, and Phillip Alan. He also leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dexter L. Wise; four brothers, Richard P., James O, William, and D. Robert Wise, now on active duty witht he U.S. Navy; and a sister, Mrs. Margaret Perry of Wilmington, Mass.
Just outside the main gate of the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, California, a Thresher-Scorpion Memorial honors the crews of the two submarines.[10]
In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, there is a stone memorial with a plaque honoring all who were lost on Thresher. It is located outside the Albacore museum.[11]
A Joint Resolution was introduced in 2001 calling for the erection of a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, but this proposal has yet to be adopted.[12]
On 12 April 1963, President John Kennedy issued an Executive Order (No. 11104) paying tribute to the crew of Thresher by flying flags at half-staff.[13]
In Eureka, Missouri, there is a marble stone at the post office on Thresher Drive honoring the "officers and crew of the USS Thresher, Lost 10 April 1963"[14]
In Salisbury, Massachusetts, the town paid tribute to USSThresher crewman Sonarman First Class Robert Edwin Steinel, a resident of the town, by naming a park in his honor "Robert E. Steinel Memorial Park". The tribute ceremony was attended by his wife, children, and other members of the USS Thresherfamily.
Hull number SSN-593
