Wallace Craig Carey

Wallace (Wally) was born June 10, 1926 in Tarpon Springs, FL the only child to Rufus and Elizabeth (Nedley) Carey.

Wally entered the Army during WW II where he served as a BAR Infantryman seeing action in France and Germany He saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and was at the Bridge at Remagen where from the banks of the Rhine river he witnessed the first aerial combat (dogfight) between the new Nazi jet and P-51 Mustangs. He was one of the first to arrive at Dachau where he witnessed the atrocities of the concentration camps. After the war Wally returned to being a civilian but then decided to re-enter the military. It was during this enlistment while stationed at Fort Lewis that he met the love of his life, Shirley Georgina Hanson, a Canadian. They were married on Dec 24 1948 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They remained devoted to one another until Shirley's untimely death in Feb 1984. They, once again, are united together.

Having been a part of and a witness to the horrors of war Wally chose the Medical Corps where he served faithfully for 32 years until his retirement as the SHAPE CSM in 1976. He saw action in Korea and completed 3 tours in Vietnam.

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His military decorations include the National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster; Korean Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; Bronze Star Medal w/2d Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Meritorious Service Medal; Medical Badge w/2d Award; Army Commendation Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Combat Infantryman Badge; American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Distinguished Unit Emblem; Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation; Army Occupation Medal (Germany); Good Conduct Medal Clasp, Silver, 3 Loops; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm; Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Silver Service Star and 1 Bronze Service Star; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/3 Bronze Service Stars.

Upon his military retirement Wally entered civil service at Fort Hood at Carl Darnell Military hospital. He was a lifetime member of the Chapter 29 DAV (Harker Heights, Texas).

A true American Hero.

He was preceded in death by both his parents and his loving wife of 36 years, Shirley . He is survived by his 9 children: Mike Carey and wife Judy of Belton, Cheryl Grossman and husband Terry of Youngsport, Charlotte Russell of Killeen, Terecia Carey of Killeen, Gay Carey of Youngsport, Paul Carey and wife Lorraine of Killeen, Rick Carey and wife Linda of Killeen, Ron Carey and wife Leslie of San Antonio, Jim Carey and wife Cindy of Ocala, Florida; and thirteen grandchildren: Mandi Carey and Belinda Williamson, Willie and Ryan Carey, Jordan and Jennifer Carey, Ty and Clayton Carey and Sheridan Baize , Kyle and Evan Carey, Matthew and Christopher Russell.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen

A Rosary will be recited at 9:30 in the morning on Friday June 11, 2010 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home Chapel followed by a Memorial Service to celebrate Wallace’s life at 10:00 am. His grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers. After service the family will proceed to Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery where we will honor the life and service of Mr. Carey with full military honors.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com.