William Jennings Wallace (August 6, 1895 – July 7, 1977) was a highly decorated aviation officer of the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...

with the rank of

lieutenant general Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...

. He is most noted for his service as commanding officer of MAG-22 at Midway and MAG-23 at

Guadalcanal Guadalcanal (; indigenous name: ''Isatabu'') is the principal island in Guadalcanal Province of Solomon Islands, located in the south-western Pacific, northeast of Australia. It is the largest island in the Solomon Islands by area, and the seco ...

and the Air Defense Command during the

Battle of Okinawa The , codenamed Operation Iceberg, was a major battle of the Pacific War fought on the island of Okinawa by United States Army (USA) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) forces against the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). The initial invasion of ...

Early years

Wallace was born on August 6, 1895, in

Church Hill, Maryland Church Hill is a town in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 745 at the 2010 census. History Bishopton, Churchill Theatre-Community Building, Kennersley, and St. Luke's Church are listed on the National Register ...

, and later attended

Washington College Washington College is a private liberal arts college in Chestertown, Maryland. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782. George Washington supported the founding of the college by consenting to have the "College at Chester" name ...

Chestertown, Maryland Chestertown is a town in Kent County, Maryland, United States. The population was 5,252 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Kent County. History Founded in 1706, Chestertown rose in stature when it was named one of the English col ...

, where he graduated with

Bachelor of Science A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Science was the University of ...

degree in May 1917. He almost immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 15, 1917, and was assigned to the Officer Candidates School at Marine Barracks Quantico,

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...

. Wallace graduated from the officer's school on June 15, 1918, and was commissioned second lieutenant on the same date.

World War II

In March 1941, Wallace was transferred to

Oahu Oahu () (Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ''Oʻahu'' ()), also known as "The Gathering place#Island of Oʻahu as The Gathering Place, Gathering Place", is the third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is home to roughly one million people—over t ...

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...

, where he was appointed

executive officer An executive officer is a person who is principally responsible for leading all or part of an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization. In many militaries and police forces, an executive officer, o ...

of the

Marine Aircraft Group 21 Marine Aviation and Training Support Group 21 (MATSG-21) is a United States Marine Corps aviation training Group (air force unit), group that was originally established in 1922 as the 2nd Aviation Group. During World War II the unit was known as ...

based at Ewa Field under the command of Colonel Claude A. Larkin. Wallace was present at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in the defense of the Ewa Field. He remained in this capacity until March 1942, when he was transferred to the command of newly activated

Marine Aircraft Group 22 Marine Aviation Training Support Group 22 (MATSG-22) is a United States Marine Corps aviation training group that was originally established during World War II as Marine Aircraft Group 22 (MAG-22). Squadrons from MAG-22, were decimated at the B ...

Midway Atoll Midway Atoll (colloquial: Midway Islands; haw, Kauihelani, translation=the backbone of heaven; haw, Pihemanu, translation=the loud din of birds, label=none) is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean. Midway Atoll is an insular area of the Unit ...

. However, he was relieved by Colonel

Ira L. Kimes Ira Laffayete Kimes (August 8, 1899 - February 3, 1949) was a highly decorated United States Naval Aviator, naval aviator of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Brigadier general (United States), brigadier general. He is most noted f ...

in April 1942 and appointed commanding officer of the Marine Aircraft Group 23. He was also promoted to the rank of

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

on May 21, 1942. Wallace led MAG 23 during the

Guadalcanal Campaign The Guadalcanal campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by American forces, was a military campaign fought between 7 August 1942 and 9 February 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in th ...

until 13 October 1942, when he was wounded by heavy-caliber naval shell during a Japanese bombardment of American positions. He distinguished himself while serving there and was decorated with the

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...

with

Combat "V" Combat ( French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...

. Wallace was evacuated to United States for recovery and he was pronounced fit for duty in February 1943. He was subsequently appointed chief of staff of the Marine Fleet Air, West Coast based at

San Diego San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the List of United States cities by population, eigh ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

, under the command of Brigadier General Lewie G. Merritt. Wallace was promoted to the rank of

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

on December 5, 1943, and succeeded General Merritt as Commanding General Marine Fleet Air, West Coast in January 1944. In this capacity, he was responsible for activation of all Navy and Marine Corps aviation units on the

West Coast West Coast or west coast may refer to: Geography Australia * Western Australia *Regions of South Australia#Weather forecasting, West Coast of South Australia * West Coast, Tasmania **West Coast Range, mountain range in the region Canada * Britis ...

. At the end of May 1944, Wallace was transferred to

Naval Station Pearl Harbor Naval Station Pearl Harbor is a United States naval base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. In 2010, along with the United States Air Force's Hickam Air Force Base, the facility was merged to form Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. Pearl Harbor is ...

, where he was appointed Chief of staff of Aircraft,

Fleet Marine Force, Pacific The United States Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) is the largest maritime landing force in the world. Its units are spread across the Pacific Ocean and reports to the United States Pacific Command. It is headquartered at MCB Camp H. M ...

under the command of Major General Ross E. Rowell and later Francis P. Mulcahy. For his service in this capacity, Wallace was decorated with the

Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

with

in late 1944. In March 1945, General Wallace was transferred back to the

Pacific Theater The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, and is bounded by the continen ...

and assumed command of Air Defense Command and Fighter Command within Tactical Air Force, Tenth Army. He participated in

with this command and distinguished himself, when went ashore and personally directed the air operations against enemy. Units under his command destroyed over 500 enemy's aircraft. For his service on

Okinawa is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 km2 (880 sq mi). Naha is the capital and largest city ...

, Wallace was decorated with the

Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919 and is presented to sailors and Marines to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritoriou ...

Navy Distinguished Service Medal citation

Postwar career

General Wallace was transferred back to the United States in August 1945 to take again command of the Marine Air, West Coast. He relieved Brigadier General Ivan W. Miller on August 15 and was promoted to the rank of

major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

on the same date. Wallace served in this capacity for one year, before he was succeeded by Major General Louis E. Woods in August 1946 and was subsequently appointed commanding general aircraft,

. He succeeded Major General James T. Moore in this capacity. Wallace was transferred to the

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point (*) is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, United States, in the eastern part of the state. It was built in 1941, and was commissioned in 1942 and ...

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

, in September 1947 and took command of Aircraft,

Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT) is an American maritime landing force that is spread across the Atlantic Ocean. It is headquartered at Naval Station Norfolk and directs and commands all the subordinate elements of the Navy Expeditiona ...

. He also served simultaneously as commanding general of

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW) is the major east coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered in Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The Wing provides the aviation combat element for the ...

based there. On 24 February 1948, Wallace was transferred to the

Headquarters Marine Corps Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions. The function, ...

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

, to be appointed Director of Marine Corps Aviation. He succeeded Major General Field Harris in this capacity and served there until the beginning of September 1950, when he was relieved by Brigadier General Clayton C. Jerome. His final assignment was again as commanding general aircraft,

with headquarters at

Marine Corps Air Station El Toro Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located next to the community of El Toro, near Irvine, California. Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the home of Marine Corps Aviation on the West Coast ...

. Wallace finally retired from the Marine Corps on July 1, 1952, and was advanced to the rank of

on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. Wallace died on July 7, 1977, and is buried at

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

, together with his wife Fannie Grant Macy Wallace (1905–1993).

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General William J. Wallace:

References

: {{DEFAULTSORT:Wallace, William J. 1895 births 1977 deaths Military personnel from Maryland People from Queen Anne's County, Maryland Washington College alumni Air Corps Tactical School alumni United States Naval Aviators United States Marine Corps generals United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I United States Marine Corps World War II generals Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit Burials at Arlington National Cemetery