Photo of Earl Wallisa in uniform

Photo of Earl Wallisa in uniform

WWII
World War II
Navy
Decatur, IL.

Herald and Review Library: Wallisa, Earl; Article on back of photo; "Wallisa Had Part in Seven Pacific Raids, Occupations; Earl Wallisa, petty officer third class, recently made a landing at his home 1061 West Decatur street, that was a surprise to his wife and family, for the last they knew he was far out in the Pacific. He got back home unscratched in 18 months of sea duty, which included participation in seven rads or 'occupation.s' The last, before getting his trip home for a 27-day leave, was the Leyte, Philippines, invasion. He wears the Asiatic theater ribbon for participation-on board a destroyer-in the Wake Island raid, the tough Rabaul raid of Nov. 11, 1943, the Gilbert and Marshall islands occupations, the New Guinea operation, the Marianas island occupation and the Philippines occupation. His ship was attached to that now famous 'task force 58,' but the dexterous destroyer never was hit. Members of the crews of the American ships had much fun with the Philippine natives who paddled out to the ships in canoes. Trinkets Wallisa's wife sent brought many friends among the natives, he said, other men getting like results with toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap and like articles. Many of the 'young' native girls
are really beautiful', he said. Petty Officer Wallisa, whose wife is the former Nadine Felter, an employee at the North Park Beauty shop, expects and wants to return to sea duty when he reports back to the Mare Island, Calif., navy base late this month. He entered service Nov. 28, 1942, after working here at the Wagner Malleable Iron works and in St. Louis at Amertrop, naval torpedo plant."

Herald and Review

Decatur, IL.

Decatur Public Library, Decatur, IL.

1/21/1945

Decatur Herald and Review

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unknown

.jpg
600 dpi

English

photograph

AF749

World War II

photograph

5 x 8"