The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) David W. Wallace (ASN: 0-22584), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Operations Officer of an Air Defense Wing, TENTH Air Force, in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, from 28 October 1943 to 9 November 1943. Lieutenant Colonel Wallace, in conjunction with Colonel John F. Egan, planned and executed below roof-top level bombing and made the first offensive missions employing this technique in this sector against heavily defended enemy installations. During the period from 28 October to 9 November 1943, Colonel Egan, flying a P-51 aircraft carrying two five-hundred pound demolition bombs, attacked the Headquarters Area at Myitkyina. This target, a Japanese regimental headquarters, was known to be protected by ample machine guns and possibly anti-aircraft artillery. In addition, it was adjacent to two enemy airfields. So successful were these missions that on five successive occasions: 28 – 30 October, 5, 8, and 9 November, a total of five buildings were destroyed with other damage accomplished which could not be observed. On each occasion these attacks were met by ground fire from machine guns which ranged from meager to intense. The spirit evidenced by Colonel Egan has been an example of great value to the morale and confidence of the pilot personnel in this sector, and the conduct, daring and skill with which these missions were performed reflects much credit on himself and the military service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
Air Defense WingDivision:
10th Air ForceAction Date:
October 28 – November 9, 1943
Headquarters, 10th Air Force, General Orders No. 91 (November 11, 1943) -
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
Air Defense WingAction Date:
August 26, 1942 – December 4, 1943
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) David W. Wallace (ASN: 0-22584), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Lieutenant Colonel Wallace, As Operations Officer of an Air Defense Wing, TENTH Air Force, between 26 August 1942 and 4 December 1943, participated in seventy-five combat missions over Northern Burma, accomplishing them with distinction. Arriving in the Dijan area with an advance air echelon on 23 July 1942, when only a limited number of P-40 type airplanes was available, he participated in attacks on advancing Japanese forces in Northern Burma, in efforts to cover retiring Chinese forces and evacuees from Burma. These attacks on heavily defended points such as Myitkyina and Mogaung, then protected by many heavy anti-aircraft installations, contributed greatly toward the successful evacuation of our Allied forces and civilian refugees. With the arrival of the 51st Fighter Group, Lieutenant Colonel Wallace directed and led repeated offensive actions against the enemy in Northern Burma, resulting in great damage to enemy material and personnel. His activities have constituted and outstanding example of leadership and skill and reflect much credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.