The Patton Museum has always relied on its staff to restore and maintain the valuable vehicles, weapons and artifacts in its inventory. Through their tireless efforts the museum has achieved respect and world-wide recognition as a first-class museum. An invaluable asset that has maintained this tradition of excellence, Stephen M. Wise, retired on October 3, 2009. Steve's official title was restoration specialist, but he is much more. He is a friend to all, an inspiration to those who have worked with him and a fountain of knowledge and down-to-earth wisdom that, along with his colorful metaphors, have become legendary.
Pvt. Stephen M. Wise .

Stephen M. Wise was born on October 24, 1948 in Marion, Kentucky in Crittenden County. After graduation from Crittenden County High School in 1966, he attended Nashville Diesel College, Nashville, Tennessee.

On September 3, 1968, he volunteered for service in the United States Army. After graduation from basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned to Wheel Vehicle School at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland for seven weeks. After completion of training he was assigned back to Fort Knox for eight weeks of Track School.

After a short leave home, he went to the Republic of Vietnam in April 1969 and was assigned to the 86th Combat Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade in the Mekong Delta. On April 3, 1970, he returned state side at Fort Knox and was assigned to the 76th Heavy Equipment Maintenance Company. During this time, he met Jewell Sprowles , who was destined to become his wife. On September 2, 1971 Steve completed his term of service and was honorably discharged from the United States Army.
Steve served during the Vietnam war.


One of the many necessary, but mundane, tasks that have to be done is to paint the monument tanks on post. Here Steve sprays the final markings on one of the Shermans located on post.


One of the many projects Steve worked on was the restoration of a World War I FT-18 light tank that was found in Afghanistan and brought back to the United States for restoration. Here Steve stands beside the almost-completed tank.


Steve in Richardson Motor Pool in front of a German Panzer IV tank. This particular tank came from the Aberdeen Proving Grounds which Steve walked around many years ago while pulling guard duty when stationed at APG.

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After the service, he was employed with a construction co. as an iron worker. In 1972 he left Kentucky for St. Louis, Missouri to work for the Chrysler Corporation and in 1975, he married Jewell Sprowles of Taylor County, Kentucky, where they still reside today.

In 1976, he was employed by Civil Service as an Automotive Training Instructor in the Armor School at Fort Knox. Then in 1978, he was promoted to a WG 8-Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic in the 1st Training Brigade at the Richardson Motor Pool in Building 6118. (Ironically, the musuems restoration shops are now at the Richardson Motor Pool.)

 

 

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On Thursday, November 19, during the annual Thanksgiving luncheon held at Richardson Motor Pool, Steve Wise was honored with gifts and proclamations celebrating his long years of service. (l-r) Jewell Wise, Steve Wise, volunteer Robert Decker, museum director Len Dyer and O.B. Edens.

In 1982 he was promoted to Wg 11, Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic and was assigned to the Boatwright Maintenance Facility. While there, he was also assigned to the Quality Assurance Branch and during that time he was also assigned to the Artillery Section for a period of time where he removed, cleaned and repaired the turret and main gun from the M60 and M1 tanks. Due to contracting action at Boatwright, he was reassigned to the Patton Musuem as a Restoration Specialist in June 2001 along with O.B. Edens. During this time he has assisted in the restoration of many vehicles, including the Ontos, M5A1 Stuart, different versions of the Sherman tank and a World War I FT-18 light tank as well as the other duties of a restoration specialist.

After 36 of service he is looking forward to maintaining his small farm, doing some traveling and reading a lot of military history.

From all your friends, co-workers and volunteers at the Patton Museum, good luck Steve and have a long and happy retirement.