Arthur Francis Wallach
Private Arthur F. “Art” Wallach served with Able Company, 10th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
He was reported missing in action at Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll, on 1 February 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 889747
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 3, 1923
at Dozier, MO
Parents
Emil Luke Wallach, Sr.
Elizabeth (Rademacher) Wallach
Education
Eureka High School (1943)
Occupation & Employer
Family farm
Service Life
Entered Service
August 25, 1943
at St. Louis, MO
Home Of Record
Eureka, MO
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Wallach
Military Specialty
Amphibian tractor crewman
Driver
Primary Unit
A/10th Amphtrac Bn.
Campaigns Served
Marshall Islands / North Kwajalein
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 1 February 1944, the 10th Amphibian Tractor Battalion landed assault troops of the Fourth Marine Division on the twin islands of Roi and Namur, part of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The tractor crews were exhausted after performing a similar feat on the previous day; refueling and rearming their vehicles was extremely difficult, and rough seas threatened to swamp the low-riding LVTs. Many tractors ran out of gas and were marooned on small islands, unable to assist in the attack.
Company A was assigned to bring part of the 24th Marines ashore on Namur. Private Arthur Wallach was a driver for one of these tractors; he was last seen aboard his vehicle “in a heavy surf” according to a company officer. The exact details of Wallach’s disappearance are not currently known, but it is likely that his LVT swamped or sank off the shores of Namur. He was the company’s only fatal casualty in the operation.
Private Wallach was reported as missing after the battle; nothing more was learned of his fate, and he was ultimately declared dead on 2 August 1945.
Memorials
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
The Wallach family owned a farm near the town of Eureka, Missouri.
Location Of Loss
Private Wallach was last seen in the vicinity of Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll.
