Fallen Soldier: Ellery R. Wallace

Captain Ellery R. Wallace (33) of Salt Lake City, Utah was assigned to 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. He died Aug. 28, 2010 in the Chaparhar district of Nangahar province, Afghanistan, of wound sustained when his military vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Before enlisting, Wallace followed his girlfriend to Utah. There he married and graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminology. He entered the Army in August 2003. This was his third tour of duty in the Middle East - the first two tours were in Iraq. He had only been serving in Afghanistan for two weeks prior to his death.

In a post on Facebook, Capt. Wallace once wrote that Afghanistan resembled the landscape in Utah, where he had lived and gone to college.

His awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal - Valor, Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge.

“He always felt the sacrifice for freedom was worth it, no matter the cost,” said his sister, Jessica Bayless. “He was protecting his family and his country.”

Capt. Wallace’s survivors include his wife, Janelle, and four children - Liam, Adara, Kael and Ehlana.