Walter Israel “IZZY” Wald was born on November 2, 1914, in Hawaii. He was the son of George and Dora Wald. He was married to Ann Grace Nall. He was married to Betty Hunter. He completed high school near Scott Field in Belleville, Illinois, then attended the University of Illinois for one year and the University of Michigan for two, studying journalism. He sought and earned a Congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy, entering just under the age limit, and graduated in 1940. Walt showed resilience and determination, surviving two near-fatal experiences: first, a serious bout of scarlet fever, and later an automobile accident that left him with a fractured skull.

Walt volunteered for overseas duty and was assigned to the Philippines. On Pearl Harbor Day, he was serving as a captain with the 61st Field Artillery, where he earned both the Silver Star for gallantry in action and the Purple Heart before being captured on Cebu. Tragically, on September 7, 1944, while being transported on the Shino Maru, an unmarked Japanese ship carrying prisoners from the Philippines, the vessel was torpedoed by American forces off Mindanao. Of the 750 prisoners aboard, only 82 survived; eyewitnesses later reported that Walt was killed instantly.

Cpt Wald's name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines. He also has a cenotaph in the Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County, California, USA.

Silver Star Citation:
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Field Artillery) Walter Israel Wald (ASN: 0-23150), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 61st Field Artillery Regiment, Philippine Scouts, in action against the enemy in defense of Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Wald, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, alumni.westpointaog.org, valor.militarytimes.com