Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Eugene
Dye
Wallace
July 17, 1919

–

July 17, 1919

Born:

Toppenish

, 

Washington

Home:

Los Angeles

, 

California

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Eugen Wallace was one of eight members of the air crew of a B-26 piloted by Marvin Hughes, that was reported missing in action following a mission over Rabaul, New Guinea in May 1942. All eight members of the crew were awarded the Silver Star. Two men died in the ditching of their bomber, and four became prisoners of war, two of them executed while in captivity. Wallace was one of two members of the crew to evade capture and return to duty. He hid in the jungles of Rabaul with two other men for ten months before he was recovered.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    408th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    22d Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 25, 1942
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 85 (May 11, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Eugene D. Wallace (ASN: 0-431910), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a member of the Air Crew of a B-26 Marauder Bomber in the 408th Bombardment Squadron, 22d Bombardment Group (Light), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations over Rabaul, New Guinea, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 25 May 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Wallace, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.