Tribute to Wallace William Stahl
Branch of Service: US Navy
Served with: Naval Operating Base 1504, Midway; Ship Repair Unit, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Naval Repair Base, San Diego, California; Naval Repair Base 3256, Buckner Bay, Okinawa
Specialty: Electrician's Mate, First Class
Wallace William Stahl was born May 23, 1921 in Cuero, Texas. During his childhood, his friends nicknamed him "Dutchy" due to his German heritage (both parents were of pure German blood) and this name stuck throughout his life.
Wallace Stahl enlisted in the Navy in May, 1942 in Houston, Texas. He trained in San Diego (boot camp). In July, 1942, he was sent to Chapman College for further training as an electrician. In December 1942 he shipped out to Naval Operating Base 1504, Midway Island as an Electrician's Mate, Third Class and served there until August 1943, returning as an Electrician's Mate, Second Class. From September 1943 to September 1944 he served with a Ship Repair Unit at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he attained the rank of Electrician's Mate, First Class. On September 30, 1944, he returned to California to continue with ship repair work at the Naval Repair Base in San Diego.
On January 2, 1945 in San Diego, Wallace married Rachel Rose Senf from Yorktown, Texas and they lived in San Diego until he received new orders for overseas deployment. His best man was Navy buddy G.W. Lilley. In July, 1945, he shipped out to Naval Repair Base 3256, Buckner Bay, Okinawa. While en route to Okinawa, the war ended. His ship proceeded to Okinawa where he stayed approximately one month.
Submitted by Cynthia Stahl Lawyer (daughter)
Updated 8/28/07