World War II Honoree

Carl Wallace

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Evansville, Indiana

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS INTREPID (CV-11). HIS SHIP PARTICIPATED IN RAIDS AGAINST THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF KWAJALEIN ATOLL IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS AND OPERATIONS AT TRUK IN THE CAROLINE ISLANDS IN EARLY 1944. THE SHIP WAS HIT BY AN AERIAL TORPEDO ON FEBRUARY 17, 1944 BUT CONTINUED OPERATIONS. PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS AT PELELIU IN THE PALAU ISLANDS, IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AT LEYTE TO SUPPORT THE ASSAULT LANDINGS, DURING THE BATTLE FOR LEYTE GULF, THROUGH THE SAN BERNARDINO STRAITS AND ALONG THE COAST OF SAMAR. SHORTLY AFTER NOON ON NOVEMBER 25, 1944 THE INTREPID WAS STRUCK BY 2 KAMIKAZE SUICIDE AIRCRAFT KILLING 65 OF HIS SHIPMATES AND SERIOUSLY WOUNDING SOME 85 OTHERS. WHEN THE FIRST PLANE HIT, HE WAS BLOWN THROUGH A HATCH AND SUSTAINED WOUNDS TO HIS ARM. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.