Sam E. Wiese

Sam was inducted into the Army in April of 1945 and discharged in 1946 as a Private. During his physical, Sam was asked to volunteer for the U.S. Army Mule Pack, the last mule pack the military would have. It took three weeks of recruiting around the United States to find enough soldiers to qualify for the Mule Pack. The men had to be at least six feet tall and be able to lift 175 pounds to shoulder height. They could not have any "red marks" such as flat feet or wear glasses. Sam trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Each soldier was assigned a mule. They had to groom and feed their mule each morning before they went to breakfast. They never rode their mule and always walked during training sessions. The men were given a ration and a half each day to help them keep up their energy for the rugged training. At one time there were eleven Mule Pack soldiers in the hospital from mule kicks or hand-to-hand combat training.

Sam became severely ill with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and was the only member of his outfit that did not go overseas. The Army Mule Pack fought in the Burma Campaign. Bill Wright, who was another member of the Mule Pack, met Sam years later and told him that sixty percent of the men were killed in action. Even though the U.S. soldiers were helping the Chinese during the war, many of them were attacked and killed by Chinese bandits and the mules were used for food.

Manning Monitor article------ 1945

Sam Wiese Sends Thanks
Dear Monitor and Staff:
At this time I wish to thank the Legion and the Monitor for making it posible for me to receive the home town paper. I enjoy it very much.
I'm in the Pack Artillery, stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

The weather here is very changeable, in the morning it might be raining and by noon we're in the middle of a dust storm.
I must close now, thanks again for the paper.
Respectfully yours, Sam Wiese.

In Loving Memory Sam Wiese

Clergy Reverend Kevin Freese
Organist Connie Siepker
Congregational Hymns "For The Beauty of the Earth" America the Beautiful"
Recorded Selections "What A Wonderful World" Louis Armstrong "How Great Thou Art" Ralna English "Happy Trails" Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Visitation Tuesday April 9, 2013, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning
Funeral Service Wednesday April 10, 2013, 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church, Manning

Sam Edward, son of Lester D. and Helen (Spurrier) Wiese was born August 2, 1926, on the Wiese family farm one mile east of Manning, Iowa. Sam went to school in Manning and graduated from Manning High School in 1944. He was drafted into the army in 1945. Sam trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with the last Mule Pack Unit formed in the U.S. Army.

Sam was united in marriage with Millicent Read August 6, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa. Three daughters were born to this marriage. Sam was a partner in Wiese and Sons, a purebred Hereford Cattle breeding operation, until his retirement in 1993. Sam had a lifelong interest in horses. As a card-carrying, all breeds judge of registered horses, he traveled throughout the United States and Canada, judging 220 shows in 41 states and provinces. Sam and Millicent have been members of the Manning First Presbyterian Church for 64 years. He was a true patriot and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 22. Sam was also a member of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and the National Cattlemen's Association. Sam enjoyed traveling to Arizona for 12 plus years during the winter to be closer to his family and enjoy the warm climate.

Sam's health declined and in 2011 he moved to the Manning Plaza Nursing Home, Manning, Iowa. He passed away there on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at the age of 86 years, 8 months and 4 days. Preceding Sam in death are his parents.

He is survived by his wife Millicent Wiese of Manning; three daughters: Dr. Barbara Wiese (Dr. Roger Waldeck) of Phoenix, Arizona; Mary Wiese (Richard Hornberger) of Phoenix, Arizona and Dr. Nancy Wiese (Willy Waks) of San Francisco, California; brother Gene (Jean) Wiese of Manning; other relatives and friends.