DOB/DOD: October 16, 1915 (Stamford, CT) – February 19, 1945; 29 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Frances “Fannie” Madison Bragg Small (1919-2010) of York, Pennsylvania, on January 14, 1939, in York. The wedding was covered by newspapers across the country as both families had friends in high society.
LOCAL ADDRESS: 635 Glenbrook Road, Stamford (1940 census)
ENLISTMENT: May 24, 1944, in Quantico, Virginia
SERVICE NUMBER: O-38534
UNIT: Company K, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0937, Rifle Marksmanship Instructor; and 1542, Infantry Officer
FAMILY: Born to Herbert Sr. (1874-1962) and Nellie Walker Cole Wildman (1875-1958). Two brothers, Talbot (1897-1967) and Frederick (1898-1976). Frederick fought in multiple battles in World War I. Promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant in the Second Division of the U.S. Army. 1, 2 Worked for Bellows and Co. in New York City when he registered for the draft. 4
CIRCUMSTANCES: Joined the New York National Guard, 101st Infantry, 1934-1942, rising from the rank of Private to Captain. Joined the Marine Corps in early 1943 and attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. Served as an instructor at the rifle range at Parris Island through the Summer of 1943. From January through July 1944, he attended Officers Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia. Assigned to the 4th Marine Division, 25th Marines, 3rd Battalion in early 1945 through the Battle of Iwo Jima. 2,6 Was killed in action due to wounds to the abdomen. 5 2d Lt Wildman and GySgt Walter Stankowich of Montville were in the same company. They died 20 days apart.
From Lt Wildman’s New York National Guard ID card
Citation to accompany the award of the Silver Star Medal
For action during World War II, U.S. Marine Corps, Second Lieutenant Herbert A. Wildman Jr., 4th Marine Division, General Orders, Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 31894, July 12, 1945. 3
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Herbert A. Wildman, Jr. (MCSN: 0-38534), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as platoon leader attached to the Third Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on 19 February 1945. Landing his platoon on the beach against a terrific bombardment of Japanese artillery, mortar, and rocket fire, Second Lieutenant Wildman repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy’s continuous barrage as he reorganized his men and moved them into position within the company’s assigned zone of operation and voluntarily making an extended reconnaissance to search out hostile gun emplacements, subsequently returned to his platoon and was directed to lead his company in the attack. Mortally wounded while advancing toward the objective under the shattering blasts of powerful Japanese guns, Second Lieutenant Wildman, by his cool courage and self-sacrificing devotion to duty, rendered valiant service during a critical period of the action and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
From The Stamford Advocate, March 22, 1945; contributed by Ellen Sullivan, Senior Reader Services Librarian, The Ferguson Library, One Public Library Plaza, Stamford.
Lieut H.A. Wildman, Native of Stamford, Killed On Iwo Jima
Second Lieutenant Herbert A. Wildman Jr., a former Glenbrook resident, was killed in action on Iwo Jima on February 19, the War Department disclosed today. Born in Stamford, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Wildman of Bridgewater, Connecticut. The family formerly resided on Glenbrook Road. Lieutenant Wildman, 29 years old, was employed by a New York importing and wine merchandising firm before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1942. His wife, Mrs. Frances Small Wildman, lives in York, Pennsylvania. Lieutenant Wildman was a descendant of Governor William Bradford and Elder William Brewster of Plymouth Colony and of Governor Thomas Dudley and Governor Simon Bradstreet of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was a nephew of the late Major General Eli Kelley Cole of the Marines. Besides his widow and parents, he is survived by two brothers, Colonel Frederick S. Wildman, AAF, and Talbot C. Wildman of San Francisco.
Memorialized on a WWII Memorial, 19 Main Street South, Bridgewater, Connecticut. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima., Plot 10, Row 1, Grave 455. At his father’s request, his remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in Wooster Cemetery, 20 Ellsworth Avenue, Danbury, Connecticut; Section H, Lot 16/17. 5Photo by Jeff DeWitt
1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://ancestry.com
3 – https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24021
4 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238
5 – USMC Casualty Card received via FOIA request
6 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/