Captain Claude D. Wallace
Today we honor and remember Captain Claude Wallace of the 101st Airborne Division who was killed in The Battle of the Bulge.
In the early morning of December 19, 1944, the spearhead of the 101st Airborne Division arrived at Bastogne. The first unit of the Screaming Eagles that was sent off to stop the Germans was the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. The order General Antony McCauliffe gave to the Regimental Commander, Colonel Ewell was brief: “Move out along this road at six o’clock, make contact, attack and clear up the situation.”
Major Raymond Bottomly’s 1st Battalion was ordered to take the lead. After being stopped on his main road of advance at Neffe, Ewell ordered 2nd Battalion, 501st, to his left flank to find out the enemy’s intentions from that side. 3rd Battalion was sent to the right flank.
Parts of 3rd Battalion reached Mont and at around 13.30 hrs, Item Company was told to advance to Wardin. The order turned out to be a death trap. Item Company took the full brunt of an attack led by seven tanks and one infantry battalion from the Panzer Lehr Division.
The company lost 45 enlisted men and 4 officers that afternoon. Among those who were killed in action was their company commander, Captain Claude D. Wallace Jr. (12 October 1920 – 19 December 1944). 🦅
Captain Wallace was one of the first Screaming Eagles to be killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge, with many more men perishing during the defense of Bastogne.
In the next week, we will honor and remember some of the men who fought and died in the Battle of the Bulge, with a short article each day.
Lest we forget! 🇺🇸
Source:
Bastogne, the First Eight Days (Rendezvous With Destiny, p. p. 443 – 456)