Born: April 12, 1920
Died: April 7, 1996
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan (wounded), Iwo Jima
Highest Rank Attained: Sergeant
Decorations:
Purple Heart
With Dog Company:
Elza Wallace was one of the original members of Dog Company, 24th Marines. He rose in rank quickly, and was a sergeant commanding a section of heavy machine guns in the Second Platoon by the fall of 1943.
Sergeant Wallace led his section into action on Namur; when the company was disbanded in March, 1944, he was transferred to Baker Company.
With Baker Company:
Sergeant Wallace remained a section leader with Baker Company's machine gun platoon. He was wounded in action on June 15, 1944, during the battle of Saipan, and was evacuated. Wallace was transferred to a Navy hospital in July, and spent several months recovering.
Wallace returned to the company in the fall of 1944. He led a section through the battle of Iwo Jima, emerging unscathed at the end.
After his discharge, Elza Wallace reunited with his wife (who had been living in Coalinga, California) and returned to his native Georgia. He died in Tybee Island in 1996.