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WALLACE, HERMAN C. (?-1945). Herman C. Wallace, Medal of Honor recipient, was born in Marlow, Oklahoma. He entered military service at Lubbock, Texas, and served with Company B, 301st Engineer Combat Battalion, 76th Infantry Division near Prumzurley, Germany. On February 27, 1945, he was helping clear enemy mines from a road when he stepped on an S-type antipersonnel mine. Knowing that if he stepped aside the mine would be thrown upward and spray the area with fragments, probably killing two comrades directly behind him, he elected to place his other foot on the mine and in so doing confined the blast to the ground, thereby saving the lives of his comrades. Wallace was buried in the Lubbock City Cemetery.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Committee on Veterans' Affairs, United States Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients, 1863-1973 (Washington: GPO, 1973).

Art Leatherwood

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Last Updated: January 11, 2008
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