Harvey L. Wallace
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Harvey L. Wallace entered the U.S. Army in October 1939.

On 18 January 1945, Sergeant Harvey L. Wallace was serving with Company B, 1277th Engineer Combat Battalion, Seventh U.S. Army.

On that day, SGT Wallace’s unit was in action against German forces near Hoste-Haut, France. While engaged in arming M2A1 anti-personnel mines, SGT Wallace without concern for his own life, threw his body across an ignited anti-personnel mine to save the lived of the members of his squad who were standing nearby. SGT Wallace’s courageous action, self-sacrifice and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Harvey L. Wallace (ASN: 6971550), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 1277th Engineer Combat Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 18 January 1945. Sergeant Wallace's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 163 (1945)

Burial

Sergeant Harvey L. Wallace is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France, in Plot B, Row 9, Grave 48.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56376177/harvey-l-wallace