Willard Wallace

Birthplace: Hope, KS

Branch of Service: Army Air Corps

Unit: 402nd Squadron

Theater of Operation: American

Enlisted / Commissioned: Aug 4, 1942

Highest Rank: Second Lt.

Honored By: The Eisenhower Foundation

Willard Wallace grew up around Hope, KS and attended Hope Schools until the family moved to California. Wallace drove a truck for the Joe Baier Trucing Co. and married Lois Stockwell, January 1, 1942. Wallace was indicted into the Army on August 8, 1942 and had basic training at Shepperd Field, TX. Next he was sent to Sioux Falls, SD to a Radio T.T.S. When he graduated he was sent to officer’s candidate school at Wayne, PN for six weeks. Next he spent 6 weeks at Yale University, New Haven, Conn. There he received his commission as Second Lieutenant. Wallace was stationed with the 402nd Squadron in Davis Monthan Field, Tucson, AZ. He was rated as a technical office in communications. Wallace’s duty was to assume duties with technical units of the army air force. Wallace trained to use and operate transmitters, receivers, the radio compass, wire equipment, and portable ground stations. Courtesy of the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Museum.