Wallace Redd

Also known as Waynesboro's Hometown Hero!

Wallace was born in Waynesboro on May 7, 1921and is still a Waynesboro resident at 99 years old. Wallace starting working at Paul Freed Ford, a car dealership, when he was just 10 years old. Although he probably couldn't imagine it then, Wallace continued his career at the dealership for many years, in fact he still works there today (now called Jim Snead Ford). Wallace took leave from his job during World War II to serve his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Recently, Wallace was given the Hometown Hero award by the Ford Motor Company. https://www.ford.com/proud-to-honor/impacts/ford-honors-veteran-employee

Wallace is well-known around Waynesboro for playing the saxophone. Ask anyone in town about Wallace and they will probably tell you about the time they had the pleasure of listening to Wallace play his saxophone!

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. WALLACE REDD, CONDUCTED BY JOHN HUFFER OF THE WAYNESBORO HISTORICAL COMMISSION. THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED ON FEBRUARY 21, 1997 AND WAS TRANSFERRED FROM VHS TAPE. IT CONTAINS VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT MR. REDD'S SERVICE DURING WWII.

Mr. Redd discusses induction in the military during WWII, basic training, traveling via ship to the war zone (England), service in the quartermaster corp in graves registration, D-Day + 2 landing in Normandy, service as a mechanic supporting the Red Ball Express, service in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, and finding a big surprise in a fox hole during a bombing raid. He then recounts his life upon returning to Waynesboro, Virginia after the war.