Donald “Don” Walter Wallace Sr. is from Lincoln Park, Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 in 1949 and was stationed in Japan. In July 1950 when North Korea invaded the south Don was sent to Korea as the first troops in. He was a Cpl. Recon Scout with the 25th Reconnaissance Company, 25th Infantry Division. He fought from Pusan to the Chosin Reservoir, including hand-to-hand combat. He suffered extreme frostbite on his extremities due to having only summer issue clothes and -40F temperatures. Due to his frostbite, he was flown out of Pyongyang on December 2, 1950. Pyongyang fell to the next day. He spent 3 months in an Army hospital in Battle Creek Michigan. He continued to have issues with his feet and PTSD throughout his life. Approximately 15 years ago the VA determined Don was 100% service-related disability due to his PTSD.
Donald “Don” Wallace received and was presented with his Republic of South Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal two (2) days before he passed by his son Bruce and his friend Patricia Junod. Don passed on March 5, 2022. We are eternally grateful for Don’s service, courage, and sacrifice. God Bless Donald “Don” Wallace and his family.
Please help us find the heroes from the Forgotten War. It is because of the U.S. Korean War Veterans that the people of South Korea are free! According to them, the Korean War Veterans have not been forgotten! All we need is a copy of the Korean War Veteran’s DD 214. Click here to learn more about the medal. God Bless the Chosin Reservoir Heroes.
