Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

August 25th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Neptune

"For gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 6 June 1944, near ****, France. Private First Class Wallace, assistant machine gunner, was in position at the east end of the Waal River Bridge when the enemy launched an assault supported by intense artillery and mortar fire which caused heavy casualties. He and one other man remained with their guns and fired on the three German tanks leading the attack, killing the tank commander. The accuracy of his fire forced the tank to "button up" and run blindly into bazooka fire which destroyed it. The remaining tanks fired their machine guns and cannon directly at Private First Class Wallace's position, but he stuck to his gun and helped force them to the same fate. Eight attempts in all were made by the enemy to cross the river but Private First Class Wallace and his comrade stood by their guns all night and broke up every assault, killing an estimated 150 Germans. The gallant determination and high courage of Private First Class Wallace in a critical moment of the Airborne assault in Normandy reflects great credit on the man and his organization."

Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 116

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

Company A, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

February 22nd, 1946

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

"Tijdens de gevechten van de 82ste Airborne Division in de omgeving van NIJMEGEN in de maanden September en October 1944 zich onderscheiden door het bedrijven van moedige en beleidvolle daden."

Royal decree no.11

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)