World War II Honoree

Walter J. Wadas

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Springfield, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

ONE DAY AFTER THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR IN DECEMBER 1941, HE TRIED TO ENLIST IN THE NAVY BUT WAS REJECTED BECAUSE HE COULD NOT PASS THE EYE EXAMINATION. IN EARLY 1942, HAVING MEMORIZED THE EYE CHART, HE WAS ACCEPTED FOR ENLISTMENT IN THE ARMY AND SERVED IN NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE, AND HELPED SUPPORT ALLIED FORCES IN FRANCE THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN A PHOTO RECONNAISSANCE GROUP SHORTLY AFTER D-DAY. HE WAS AWARDED THE WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN RIBBON WITH FOUR BATTLE STARS, AND THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN APRIL 1946 WITH THE RANK OF CAPTAIN.