| Graduation Year | Class of 1942 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 14, 2009 |
| About | Washington Post, Washington, D.C February 26, 2009 Wallace Herbert Blackwell, Jr July 31, 1924 - January 14, 2009 Wallace was born on July 31, 1924 in Sagamore, MA. He graduated from Bourne High School in June 1942 and entered the University of New Hampshire (UNH) that fall. Wallace volunteered for the U.S. Army Pilot Training in December 1942, graduating as a pilot and Second Lieutenant in January 1944. He received his B-17 Pilot and combat crew training, was assigned to the Eighth Air Force in England in July 1944, and flew his first combat mission over wartime Europe on July 31, 1944, his 20th birthday. He flew his 35th and final combat mission in December 1944, then returned to UNH, graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering in June 1949. Wallace began Federal employment as a geodetic engineer for the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Department of Commerce, in June 1949. Involved with the calculation and determination of the geodetic positioning of survey networks, becoming an expert in the application of computers to geodetic surveys. he transitioned to computer applications for scientific work in 1966 for the Environmental Science Services Administration, later the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, until retiring in 1982. He continued working part time with the Commerce Department as a technical support specialist until 1993. Wallace was very active in the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association. He served this group of proud WWII veterans in many roles since 1993, including President from 1998 until his death. A Memorial service was held in January. |
