Secretary, 2/4 Association, 2868 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville, FL 32226-1722
Updating this post with some pictures from BGen William Weise’s service. Please scroll through this whole page for all of the details.
Brigadier General William Weise Funeral Pictures
pictures courtesy of Becky Valdez
**************** BGen Weise’s Funeral Details ****************
Brigadier General William Weise Funeral Details
It is confirmed that the church service for Brigadier General William Weise will be held on Wednesday, August 13th at 2:00 pm at The Falls Church Anglican, 6565 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042
The burial service (graveside service only) will be on Thursday August 14th at 11:00 am at Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Ave., Arlington, VA 22211 All attendees must have their own transportation or ride with another attendee as you will drive from the Administration Building to the service location. All attendees 16 years of age and older must have a valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, student ID, etc).
**************** BGen Weise’s Obituary ****************
Brigadier General William “Wild Bill” Weise, USMC (Ret)
“William Weise, of Springfield Virginia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, surrounded by loved ones—just one day after celebrating his 96th birthday. Born on March 10, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to George and Georgia (Thorburn) Weise, William was a graduate of Temple University and later Arizona State University. He enlisted into the Marine Corps on October 16th, 1951, and retired on August 31st, 1982, serving nearly 31 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In Vietnam, he took command of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4) — the “Magnificent Bastards” — in 1967. In the Spring of 1968, he led 2/4 through the fierce Battle of Dai Do where, despite being wounded multiple times, he pressed on to rally his troops. For his valor, he received the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit (one with a Combat “V”), three Purple Hearts, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, among other honors. His career began and concluded at Parris Island, South Carolina, bookending his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. After retiring, William and his wife Ethel spent several years on the open road in a truck and trailer, visiting family, friends and multiple National Parks & Forests while enjoying each other’s company. Later William played a key role in establishing the 2/4 Association and the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He served on the boards helping to raise funds and shape their vision, leaving a lasting tribute to his fellow Marines. William was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many, with Christ as his foundation.
William was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 42 years, Ethel (Jaeschke) Weise, and his siblings: older brother George “Skip” Weise, older sister Marjorie “Midge” Miller, and younger brother John “Jack” Weise, a retired Episcopal priest. He leaves behind a proud legacy in his children: Carol Olsen (Kenneth), Marc Weise (Lorri), and Holly Michaels; his grandchildren: Matthew Olsen, Amanda Martin (James), Luke Olsen (Philippa), Zane Olsen, Eric Weise, Bri Weise, Samantha Wagstaff, Patrick Wagstaff (Susan), and Timothy Weise; and his greatgrandchildren: Randi Martin, Piper Martin, Charlotte Olsen, Emma Olsen, Sarah Lamb, Richard Lamb, Henry Lamb, Hannah Lamb, Rebekah Lamb, Abigail Lamb, and George Lamb.
A celebration of life and graveside services will be announced soon, with details to follow [posted here as we are given information]. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the following: The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, The Falls Church Anglican, The Leadership Institute, and Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.”
Please find various tributes, pictures and stories in this pdf.
**************** Original post about BGen Weise’s medical condition from early 2024 ****************
Will share updates here, so feel free to add your comments here.
You may email Luke here or Carol, his daughter here. Or feel free to leave a comment on this post as they have been informed of this post.
Kristen – Web Mistress
****************
12 March 2024
A message from Zane Olsen on 2/4 FB page where noted BGen Weise had passed:
Hello everyone with the 2/4. I am Brig Gen William Weise’s grandson. I have had the pleasure to meet a lot of you fine gentlemen and your families at the Dai Do reunions through the years and I have enjoyed listening to your stories. My grandfather passed away last night at approximately 2130 EST at Innova Fairfax hospital in Virginia. He was surrounded by family, friends and many of his men at the hospital and via zoom. His final words were indicating that Fritz Warren was on the duty roster guarding the gates waiting for him to report for duty. After we all said our goodbyes, he was sent off in so g with Amazing Grace, and of course, the Marine Corps Hymn. I want to extend gratitude to the 2/4 and your thoughts and prayers for my grandfather and us as a family. He will be missed but we know he is now in good company with God and of course his wife Ethel, other family members and the countless other Marines who have been awaiting his arrival. As we get things sorted out we will definitely be communicating these details through the appropriate channels as we have things figured out. I want to thank all of you.
****************
11 March 2024
BGen William Weise passed
****************
3 March 2024
A message from Becky Valdez:
BGen. Bill Weise will be undergoing heart valve surgery on March 12th. He has asked that you could please keep him in prayer. At 95 years old, he is currently suffering with vision loss as well as his current heart issue.
He has found an alternative method for his prayers. He repeats the Apostles’ creed as he has memorized it and focuses on each word.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Cards and correspondence may be sent to him at:
Bill Weise
7444 Spring Village Dr. #306
Springfield, VA 22150-4473
~Becky
****************
7 December 2023
Dear family, comrades, and friends,
I’m sending this report out on my current health status to bring you all up to date. As you may recall, I suffered a stroke on the 22nd of October which seriously impaired my vision and affected my normal activities. I have seen a number of doctors including two eye specialists and I’ve been issued a special pair of glasses and placed on medication. There is a strong possibility that I may fully regain my sight, but there is no guarantee. My depth perception is off, my peripheral vision is limited in both eyes, and my remaining vision is not reliable. I have received tremendous support from family, friends and medical personnel by the grace of God and I’m viewing life from a much different perspective. I am optimistic!
Due to these limitations, I will be unable to respond to your email messages individually, but I deeply appreciate your concern and your messages. My good friend, Victoria Rose, is typing this message for me. I wish you all the best and blessings from the grace of God.
Semper Fi,
Bill
****************
12 November 2023
I know it’s been a while, but my good friend, Rick Endres, has finished editing the video taken at my 94th birthday party. You will find the link/embedded below.
I’m deeply humbled and I certainly don’t feel worthy of the wonderful comments many of you made. I truly love you all and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Semper fidelis,
Bill Weise
****************
28 October 2023
This email is being typed by my good friend, Victoria Rose, whom many of you know.
I want you all to know that, by the grace of God, I’m doing well, although at 94 years of age, I’m not as fit as I used to be. I recently suffered a minor stroke that has affected my vision. I am receiving excellent medical and spiritual care. By the grace of God, I have many friends and dear relatives. Except for my visual impairment, I seem to be doing pretty well.
At this point in time, I am limited in answering your very welcome messages and phone calls. My grandson, Luke, will monitor my email and pass on any messages from you all.
I appreciate all your prayers and I love you all very much.
Semper fi,
Bill
P.S. Please feel free to pass this onto anyone you know who I may have missed with this note.
God be with you
Bob Piaro
2/4 68-69
Sending Prayers for You General!! God Bless
WE LOVE THIS MAN.HE HAS BEEN OUR LIFE LONG INSPIRATION.
SEMPER FI
ECHO 6 LIVINGSTON
I served in Vietnam 1967-1969 One of the great many leaders at that time
May God continue to bless and heal you. You have my utmost admiration and respect.
I served with you in 1966-1967 2/4
May God bless you and keep you!
Freddie Beheler
Corpsman HM2
Fox Company 68-69
May God bless you and keep you! Greatest experience of my life.
Freddie Beheler
Corpsman HM2
Fox Company 68-69
Hi, Freddy – My uncle was PFC Robert Nelson Burroughs who served w 2/4 from Con Thien in Sep 1967 until July 8, 1968 when he died of malaria on a ship (he was on the ship for 4 days). I’m wondering if you might remember him or could tell me what it was like as a Corpsman at that time. I’m a retired Navy Captain and have tried to gather as much information about my Uncle as possible. Thank you and Semper fi- Richard Fahy
Captain, I was medevaced on July 2 1968 to LZ Stud and then out to the USS Sanctuary for Malaria, I was a Corpsman and the difference between a Corpsman and a Marine during 67 and 68 with 2/4 when we were on float was humping the hills, going in on choppers, etc. Read the book After Tet The Bloodiest Year of the War to see what 2/4 was like during that time. Some of our corpsmen stayed in medicine Jerry Wise was at Duke’s 3rd PA class in 1969, Mike Szumigala was a veterans service officer and Deacon in Connecticut, Merrill “Mo” Morris served as an AMVET VSO in Maine, Doug Miller, Roger Brown, Oliver, Baby Doc, Frank Williams lived in Des Moines, IA and Rocky Svoboda who lived in Radar O’Reilly’s hometown Ottumwa Iowa, Jim Sonnier from Opelousas LA, I’m Carl Price from Salem West Virginia and I’ve worked with and served for veterans for a long long time. Viet Nam was 58 years ago. The hills we worked and where your uncle probably was right before he was medevaced and passed away (probably on the USS Sanctuary was on Operation Scotland II, Nanking, and Lancaster. We worked outside of Khe Sahn and around LZ Stud, over on the Laotian Border, on the Ho Chi Minh trail, back over Rt 9. The terrain was a lot like over home in West Virginia back from the Cua Viet River and area which was a lot like the marshlands down near Myrtle Beach. We were setting up Firebase Cates which was taking over for the 26th artillery out of Khe Sahn. Your Uncle served with Echo Company and one of his Corpsmen was Tom Ralston (He and I went to Corps School together and I trained him for Nam after he came back from the Phillipines for Riverine Service). I still do disability compensation claims, serve on the Govenor’s Veteran’s Advisory Committee, am Legislative Chair for the
We must have crossed paths. 2/4 Fox 1st Plt, Echo 2nd Plt and Battalion senior corpsman October’67 to July ‘68. Duke ‘77 now retired PA.
Richard, I served in 1st Platoon, Fox Co, , 2nd Platoon Echo Co. and was 2/4 senior corpsman from October’67 to July 1, 1968. What company did Robert serve?
I am sorry, but I did not know your. I was assigned to 2/4 the entire time I was in Vietnam. I am sorry that I did not respond to your messages until now. It is my sincere wish that you can find the information that you are seeking. May the Lord be with you and yours.
Sincerely
Freddie Beheler
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, General Weise. You have been an inspiration for so many. God bless you!
Rita Jerabek 2/4 Gold Star Mom
Pfc Ryan Jerabek, USMC
2/4 Echo Co KIA 4-6-04
Ramadi, Iraq
Hello Rita,
During my Marine Corps service I had the honor of serving with your son. My time was spent in 2/4 Fox company. Ramadi 2004 then 2005 & 06
God Bless you
May you experience the Peace that only God can give.
Dean Cugliotta
Known to be quite the war fighter get well, Gunny Chis 2/4 1974-75/1981-84/and 1990-92.
It has been a real honor to have you as a dear friend, especially after Jesse’s passing. Have missed talking with you.
Sending my thoughts and prayers. Love, Cindy Greer
I pray to the good lord that he heal you and give you many more years to serve him and our Corps.
General, God bless you. I know you by reputation only as a great Marine and war fighter. I served with General P. X. Kelly, Golf Co./Weapons Companies, 1965-1966. I will continue to pray for your wellness and your family.
Doc Lowery
HMCM/FMF/USN/RET
Wishing you the best!
From one Magnificent Bastard to the Top Magnificent Bastard! Fratres Aeterni!
May God continue to bless you General.
Hotel 2/4 68-69
God Bless you Sir!! Echo 2/4 66-67
GOD, BLESS YOU GENERAL… CLP. JIM VERDERBER ECHO 2/4 66-67
Sending continued prayers and comforting thoughts! Semper Fi!
General: My wife, Mina, and I pray for your speedy recovery and that you, your family, kinfolk and fellow Leathernecks around the world are warmly embraced by God’s heeling, protective, merciful, and loving arms.
Very respectfully,
John E Vaaler
Wpns and H&S Co’s, 2/4, ’84-’86.
May God keep you in his arms General. My prayers are with you to help keep you strong.
Semler fi Marine!!
General: Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Served with you 67-68 with the Magnificent Bastards. 2/4. Traveled with you in a return trip to Vietnam in 1998.
Worked with BGen Mike Hayes. Mike insists that you still owe him a case of beer. Lt. Hayes directed arty fire for 2/4 at some point during our 67-68 tour with great accuracy – thus a promised reward of a case of beer.
I’m glad your in good spirits sir. Your in my prayers.
“IT’S KNOWING THAT WHEN I WAKE UP AND MY FEET HIT THE FLOOR, THE DEVIL SAYS, “SHIT, HE’S AWAKE!”
Semper Fi.
You knew my Dad, Joe “Bull” Fisher…if he were here he’d say “C’mon, you Marine!” He’d send ya all the fighting spirit he had! I do, too!
From “one magnificent bastard to another magnificent bastard you are our inspiration. We did this once and we will do it again. You are a great Marine leader, may God Bless
Semper Fi
Mike Graf
Amgrunt
General Bill… I am so sorry to hear of the health problems you’re facing. May our Lord grant our wishes for your full recovery from this. Thank you and Gunny Garr for your tutoring during my 2 years as president of our Magnificent Bastards Assoc.— Semper Fi my friend. marine-2-4@comcast.net
General, It’s good to hear from you so sorry for your health problems. I was honored to serve with you from the time you took command of 2/4 till Dai Do. I was glad you had such a great career. Praying for your peace and comfort sir.
Bill Minton 0351
We’ve seen darker days, even when we could see. Those days up on the Cue Viet when our next minute was not guaranteed. I want to remind you once again of the greatest words spoken by any Marine anywhere, when you looked down at me while Capt. Vargas was dragging you out of Dai Do; “Let’s get the hell out of hear Doc!!” Semper Fi
Um Roger. That would be “Inactive Navy Corpsman!”
We must have crossed paths. 2/4 Fox 1st Plt, Echo 2nd Plt and Battalion senior corpsman October’67 to July ‘68. Duke ‘77 now retired PA.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I served with 2/4 3rd mar.div. 1967 through all of 1968 gulf co. The end of 1968 I served with a Combine Action Group and up to now I’ll claim 2/4 as my home. So general thank you get well there still a lot of us that has your back. 1968 tet was a bad time but we made it thanks to people like you.
General Weise, Sir
Loving Prayers and thoughts coming to you. I’m so sorry I haven’t had the Honor to meet you in person, hopefully 1 day I will. God Bless you, and Happy Veterans Day , thank you for your services and sacrifices.
Gold Star Mother Dianne Layfield
My Son LCpl Travis Layfield KIA 4/6/04’
2/4 Echo Co.
Dear General,
MayGod hold you in the palm of His hands.
God Bless
Stephen Priory
H&S 81’s 2/4 68-69
General Weise,
It was a lucky day for me when you walked into the Col. Waterhouse Museum in Toms River NJ and l had the honor to meet you. Little did l know we would work together on the design of the 2nd Bn. 4th Marines, The Magnificent Bastards, Memorial Monument.
I am blessed to have met you and honored to be a small part of honoring the Magnificent Bastards.
Happy 95th Birthday
God bless you sir.
Gunner Ed Sere
General Weiss,
I will be praying for your healing and better days. I will never forget your kindness in flying across country to give the eulogy for my husband, Capt Edward (Ted) Dawson in 2001. You meant so much to him and it was my honor to meet you for his final promotion to Glory. Thank you again and may God bless you.
Jewel Dawson
Wishing you the very best General. I will never forget the time you invited me to your hooch @ Lam Quan West just b4 Dai Do. You thanked me for my dad’s Cuban cigars he sent you. Very caring & great man you are. Best of luck sir.
General Weise
I will keep you in prayer.
Sir you are a remarkable, wonderful person and an awesome Marine. I had the pleasure of making Memories of Dia Do with you! WHAT AN AMAZING INSPIRATION YOU ARE TO EVERY MARINE PAST. PRESENT AND FUTURE! GOD BLESS YOU,HEAL YOU AND PROTECT YOU. GOD SPEED OUR BROTHER. SEMPER FI
SLIM MANTHEY
God Bless You and Your family – I am proud to have served under you – Echo 2/4 9/67 – 8/68
General, I will be praying for a successful surgery. I will never forget our discussions on the merits of machine guns while at the Naval War College 48 years ago. You knew these weapons and their correct employment like no Marine I ever encountered. Semper Fi! “Rip” Van Riper
General, ,You have always been an inspirational leader. Prayers up for courage, strength, resilience and endurance on your journey back to good health. Semper Fidelis
Dave Richwine
General,
You are in our prayers, and we’re confident that your surgery will go well. I’d be more comfortable if there was a 2/4 doc assisting with the surgery, but you can’t have everything.
God speed,
Greg Newbold
Sending prayers and hope for speedy recovery. Miss visiting with you. ♥️
General,
You are certainly in my thoughts and prayers. I will always thank you for your assistance with getting a Purple Heart presented to Lt Bill Hunt’s ( KIA 1969 FSB Russell) mother. Your continuing love for those who served with you is humbling. May God protect you once more and speed your recovery.
Well Sir, As I did on about or about May 8, 1968 on board the Ships Sickbay I’ll bring you a Bucket of Iced down BEER for our consumption after your recovery. Back then Even with hoses stuck into your arms you managed to put down 3 or 4. Of course then you had the advantage with a Catheter plugged in. I’ll leave a few in your bedside table drawer as usual. Love Ya Sir. Fly Boy. Dixie Diner-14. 67/68.
RIP to a true Marine Leader & Warrior.
General, I came to 2/4 in 1986 as a young Captain, but quickly learned much of the legacy of 2/4, including the epic battle at Dai Do in which you and your Marines fought. I was deeply inspired by your legacy and that of other 2/4 Marines and was very proud to carry that legacy forward, hoping only that our performance would live up to the high bar set by those who came before us. Thank you for your enduring leadership and legacy.
Proud Magnificent Bastard
Sam Eddy
CO Fox 2/4 Aug 1986 – Mar 1989
Family of General Weise, fellow Marines of 2/4. I am very sorry for your loss even though I never had the privilege to know him. Perhaps some day I will report to him for duty in heaven when my time comes. I am a retired GySgt and if I can be of any assistance driving I would be honored as I live in Virginia. I would love to attend the service and stand at attention to display my respect of another Marine. If I can be of assistance please contact me at tom03698532@hotmail.com. My god bless your soul General and may god provide strength courage and guidance to his family and Marines!
Semper Fidelis
Echo Company and Wpns Company 2/4