World War II Honoree

John George Wallace

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Vineland, New Jersey

Honored By

Commander John G. Wallace, Jr., USNR

Relationship

Son

GRADUATED 12 DAYS AFTER PEARL HARBOR ATTACK FROM U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY WITH THE ACCELERATED CLASS OF 1942. NAVAL OFFICER ABOARD THE HEAVY CRUISER, USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), FIGHTING IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. SERVED AS GUNNERY OFFICER ABOARD SHIP AND WAS AWARDED NAVY CROSS AND PURPLE HEART ON NOVEMBER 12, 1942 FOR HEROIC ACTIONS AND WOUNDS FROM SERVICE AT GUADALCANAL AFTER SHIP SHOT DOWN ATTACKING JAPANESE TORPEDO-BOMBER AIRCRAFT, (MITSHUBISHI 'BETTY' BOMBER), WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED ON HIS BATTLE STATION. HE PARTICIPATED IN 13 OF THE SHIP'S 17 BATTLE ACTIONS. TRANSFERRED TO NAVAL POST-GRADUATE SCHOOL IN AUGUST 1944 AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL THE END OF WWII.