Wallace, William Noble

Born January 13, 1895, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Son of Henry Lane and Margaret Noble Wallace. Educated Hill School, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and Yale University, Class of 1917. Joined American Field Service, June 17, 1916; attached Section One to November 27, 1916. Returned to America and College. Enlisted Marine Corps, July 5, 1917. Appointed Second Lieutenant, Quantico, Virginia, August 27th; attached 34th Company, 1st Replacement Battalion. Sailed for France, February, 1918. Army School, Gondrecourt; attached French Division; attached 83d Company, 6th Regiment, June 11, 1918. Wounded, Vierzy, July 19th. Promoted First Lieutenant, September 6th. Battalion Scout Officer. Killed by shell, October 9, 1918, in action near St. Etienne, Champagne. Buried between St. Etienne and Somme-Py, Marne. Body transferred to Crawfordsville, Indiana.

"HE bartered Youth for Immortality," quoted a noted author in writing of his young friend, William Noble Wallace, who was killed in action near St. Etienne, Champagne, carrying high that standard of devotion which guided the lives of his ancestors. The first of his father's family in America was Peter Wallace, Scotch-Irish, who immigrated in 1724, while on his mother's side was General Arthur Sinclair, who came from Scotland with Admiral Boscawen in 1758. His grandfather was General Lew Wallace, the Mexican and Civil War soldier and author.

"The knightliest of the knightly race
Who, since the days of old,
Have kept the lamp of chivalry
Alight in hearts of gold,"

"Such was this dear boy," continues the writer. "The General came instantly into my mind when the dark news came, and we, who know the fine quality of both, may ponder how the elder comrade saluted with fine courtesy the Knight of his own house, in the green valley where, beyond these voices, there is Peace."

Lieutenant Wallace's war record begins with his enlistment in the American Field Service. With Section One he served in the vicinity of Verdun from June to late November, 1916. Returning to the United States, he secured his degree of A. B. with his class at Yale in June, 1917. Graduating from the Officers' Training School at Quantico in November, he was assigned to the 1st Replacement Battalion and sailed for France on the U. S. S. Von Steuben. His organization landed at Brest and moved immediately to the training area near Chatillon.

Wallace graduated from the 1st Army Corps School at Gondrecourt at the head of his class, which allowed him ten days at the front with a French Division. On returning he served as Battalion Adjutant until transferred to the famous 6th Regiment. With it he fought through Château-Thierry and Belleau Wood. On July 19th, while leading his men in the attack before Vierzy he was wounded and evacuated, but rejoined his regiment on October 7th.

October 8th his company was withdrawn for replacements, but Wallace remained, having volunteered to reconnoiter the front line. His mission accomplished with great skill and daring, he was returning in the early dawn, when he was struck by a shell and instantly killed. The Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross were awarded Wallace for "extraordinary heroism in action" at this time. At the moment of his death he was a First Lieutenant, having been promoted September 6th, but he died without knowledge of this recognition of his service. His ambulance section had received the Croix de Guerre with Palm and his Marine regiment the French fourragère.

The Indianapolis Star in a memorial editorial for Lieutenant Wallace said: "'Whom the gods love die young.' He was a soldier worthy of his traditions and he had the fatal speed of those about to die young . . . . . that absorption of a lifetime in an hour, which we find in those who hasten to have their work done before noon, knowing that they will not see the evening. He carried the torch borne by his brave ancestors, and did them honor. Friends who mourn his early death may cry, 'The pity of it,' but if he echoed in his heart the poet's wish, 'A short life in the saddle, Lord, not long life by the fire,' then indeed he had the career he wished."

• Tribute from Memorial Volume of the American Field Service, 1921