Mr. Douglas Charles Wallace, 90, of Waldoboro, and a proud WWII veteran and patriot, passed away on Sept. 22 after a short and unexpected illness. He was born in Friendship on July 17, 1924, the son of Addison Charles and Nellie Belle Wincapaw Wallace. He was a dedicated and loving father and son.
Growing up during the depression he became a very enterprising young man. He grew and sold vegetables, dug clams, ran errands for neighbors, and worked hard in his uncle Chade Simmons’ town blacksmith shop earning pennies for his efforts. Then he would run to Al Pottle’s store to buy a loaf of bread for his mother for 2 cents. At the age of 15 he began working at the pants factory in Thomaston.
Douglas honorably served his country during WWII in the Pacific Theater. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 4, 1943, completed his basic training in Miami Beach, Fla. and then vehicle operator and mechanic school at Chanute Field, Ill. After training Pfc. Wallace was assigned to the Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 2078th Quartermaster Truck Company in Rapid City, S.D. As a truck driver, he hauled all elements of supplies, food, clothing, ammunition and bombs, personnel, and the wounded throughout the advancement of U.S. forces in the Pacific during the war.
His company was transported through the Panama Canal on Christmas Day, 1943 enroute to Australia. Their advancement took them through New Guinea, to Biak Island and to several of the Philippine Islands before invading Japan. His company was aboard the Naval ship LST 750, which was one of 80 ships in a convoy enroute to Mindoro in the Philippine Islands. The convoy was attacked by Japanese kamikaze aircraft and his ship was torpedoed and sunk, causing everyone to abandon the ship. It was from injuries sustained in this attack that Pfc. Wallace earned the Purple Heart Medal.
After regrouping, his company moved forward to Ie Shima, an island in the Japanese Ryuku Islands and pressed on to invade the Japanese island of Kyushu. Pfc. Wallace was in Japan at the time of the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
In addition to the Purple Heart Medal, Pfc. Wallace earned the Philippine Liberation Medal with bronze star, the Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater War Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. During all of this time so far away, he always sent half of his monthly pay, the amount of $15, home to help ensure that his mother could make ends meet. He was discharged on Jan. 17, 1946. His pride for his country had no bounds.
After the war, Douglas returned to his hometown of Friendship. He began working at Scott Carter’s boat building shop and quickly mastered the art and science of building wooden boats. This was a skill that brought him much pleasure in his life. He also worked as a general carpenter learning plumbing and electrical skills to name a few; there was not much that he could not do, all due to his natural curiosity and enthusiasm to learn. He also spent some time working at Bath Iron Works.
He loved to dress up and go to the dances, which is where he met the mother of his children, Marjorie Wuori Wallace, and they moved to Waldoboro. Later he started lobster fishing and made that his long-term career. He even built his own 29′ lobster boat, MASSU; it was his pride and joy. He also built many wooden lapstrake skiffs and rowboats. With ambition to spare, at the same time he raised thousand of hens at his farm in Waldoboro. He retired from lobster fishing in 1986.
Throughout his life Douglas was an avid hunter. He enjoyed hunting rabbits with his rabbit dogs, and he was always excited for deer hunting season to begin. He loved to snowmobile and ice fish; he was an all-season advocate of nature and he shared that love with his children and grandchildren.
His sense of humor was epic and he always held fascination for new things. He liked to travel with his truck and camper, especially to the fairs and “up north,” and visit with his family wherever their adventures took them.
In his later years he continued to stay active as possible still mowing his lawn, riding his 4-wheeler and puttering in his shop. He so enjoyed visits from his family and friends. He was a proud member of the Waldoboro American Legion, Post 149 and the Friendship Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3095.
We have lost a true American hero, a member of the Greatest Generation, who was proud of his family and his service to country. He lived as he believed, independently with commitment to duty, honor and country. A dedicated patriot, he never failed to stand and salute our Nation’s flag.
Douglas is predeceased by his parents; son, Douglas A. Wallace; grandson, Elliot S. Montgomery; brothers, Robert W. Wallace, and J. Harlan Wallace; and sisters, Ava V. Wallace, Annie B, Hutchins, and Evelyn M. Winchenbach.
He is survived daughters, Leona M. Wallace of Chula Vista, Cal., and Donna A. Wallace of Waldoboro; son, Dana A. Wallace and wife Cathy of Waldoboro; grandchildren, Allen D. Sproul of San Antonio, Tex., Ian D. Montgomery, Aren S. Montgomery, and Chade E. Montgomery, all of Austin, Tex., Erica (Wallace) Genthner, and Kaitlin M. Wallace, both of Waldoboro; great-grandchildren, Emma L. Sproul, Izabella G. Montgomery, Gage P. Genthner, and Ellisyn M. Bolduc; several nieces and nephews; and friend, Esther Dawson.
Friends are welcome to join the family for a time of visitation to celebrate Douglas’ life from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. with light refreshments Sat., Sept. 27 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. A graveside service with military honors will follow the visits at 1 p.m. at the Shuman Cemetery, Washington Rd., Waldoboro. Pastor Wayne Woodman will officiate.
You can share condolences with the family by visiting www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall’s of Waldoboro.
