In Memory Of
Army Private First Class
Donald Orson Wallace
Hurley, South Dakota
Turner County
July 6, 1920 — June 18, 1945
Killed In Action on Okinawa

Donald Orson Wallace was an Army Private First Class. He was born on July 6, 1920, to Nellie and Orson Wallace in Norway Township.  He had two brothers, Frank and Leon.  He lived in a rural Viborg, South Dakota. 

Donald entered the service on September 18, 1942.  He went overseas in July of  1943.  He served with Battery B – 31^st F. A. Bn. in the Seventh Division. He was assigned to ammunition truck driving and setting up flares.  The purpose of setting up flares was to trap the Japanese and alert the Allied positions of their approach.  On June 18, 1945, he was killed in action while setting up warning flares in Okinawa.  Three days after his death fighting ceased in Okinawa. Pfc. Wallace was originally buried in the Seventh Division Cemetery on Okinawa.  In January of 1949, the remains of Pfc. Wallace were returned to the United States, reburied in the Hurley Cemetery in Hurley, South Dakota.

Donald received the Purple Heart award.  He also received the good conduct medal, and a WWII Victory Medal with four gold stars.  

This entry was respectfully submitted by Jessica Wallace, 8^th Grade West, Spearfish Middle School , Spearfish, South Dakota, February 15, 2000.  Information for this entry was provided by the Wallace family.