- SURNAME
Wallace
- FORENAME
Frankie Lee
- UNIT
502 Infantry Regiment (Airmobile) (Company A,2 Bn)
- RANK
Second Lieutenant
- NUMBER
OF 102387
- DATE OF DEATH
4th February 1966
- AGE
25
- GRAVESITE
Harris Chapel Cemetery,Cherokee,Colbert County,Alabama
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Cherokee,Alabama
born 13.8.1940
married
attended University of North Alabama
2 years service
award Silver Star
KIA Phu Yen Province,South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 05E Line 1
DATE OF DEATH:
04-Feb-1966CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Frankie Lee Wallace (ASN: OF-10237), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Second Lieutenant Wallace distinguished himself on 4 February 1966 while leading a squad size patrol on a routine search of several villages in the Republic of Vietnam. At approximately 1430 hours as Second Lieutenant Wallace's squad approached a village, they were suddenly engaged by small arms and automatic weapons fire by an estimated Viet Cong squad. Exposing himself to the deadly insurgent fire, Second Lieutenant Wallace led an assault on the hostile positions. The assault was so aggressive that the Viet Cong were forced to withdraw. Second Lieutenant Wallace then led his patrol across an open rice paddy, skillfully executing fire and movement in pursuit of the insurgent force. The Viet Cong squad joined an estimated platoon size force who were well entrenched. Second Lieutenant Wallace directed effective artillery fire and air strikes on the hostile positions. When the supporting fires lifted, Second Lieutenant Wallace led his squad in an assault and was met by intense automatic weapons and mortar fire which forced him to withdraw. In the withdrawal, one fire team leader fell wounded. Without hesitation, Second Lieutenant Wallace ran in to the open rice paddy to aid his wounded comrade and was wounded in the leg before he could reach him. Unmindful of his wound, Second Lieutenant Wallace got up and continued toward the wounded man. As he approached the stricken soldier, he killed two Viet Cong who were also attempting to reach the wounded man. Fully exposed to the intense Viet Cong fire concentrated on him, he aided the wounded soldier. Second Lieutenant Wallace was mortally wounded by hostile automatic weapons fire while assisting his wounded comrade to safety. Due to his courage, inspiring example, and his leadership, he was instrumental in saving the life of a fellow soldier and accounted for twenty-seven Viet Cong killed. Second Lieutenant Wallace's unimpeachable valor in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United State Army.
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