Wallace Martello

Wallace "Marty" Martello, 85, of Chambersburg, died Monday, May 30, 2005, in his home. A native of New Eagle, he was born Oct. 10, 1919, to the late Josephine Romanin Martello. He is a graduate of Monongahela High School and later attended the University of Louisville and Florida State University with majors in Economics and Business Administration. Additionally, he was awarded a bachelor of science degree in business and finance from Mount St. Mary College, graduating with honors and being accepted into the Monsignor Tierney Honor Society. Wallace enlisted in the United States Army Ordnance Corps in September 1940. He attended recruit training at Raritan Arsenal, followed by truck vehicle training at Aberdeen Proving Ground, where he was subsequently assigned as an instructor. Selected for and completing Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Ordnance Corps in May 1942. Following an instructor assignment at Aberdeen Ordnance School, he served as Commanding Officer, 428th Ordnance Company, both at home and overseas during World War II; Chief, Track Vehicle Section, Aberdeen Ordnance School; Director, Storage Division, Raritan Arsenal; Commanding Officer, 27th Ordnance Maintenance Company, 1st Cavalry Division, Tokyo, Japan; Ordnance Advisor, Michigan National Guard; and Assistant Ordnance Officer, Fort Knox, Ky. In route to his next assignment to the Canal Zone, Panama, Wallace studied Spanish at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif. Throughout his tour in Panama, he traveled extensively in Central and South America, coordinating maintenance and ordnance supply activities for the Ordnance Division of the U.S. Army Caribbean Command, located in Fort Amador, Canal Zone. At the completion of his four-year assignment in Central America, Wallace retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Moving his family to Huntsville, Ala., he accepted a position in the Missile Engineering Maintenance Division at Redstone Arsenal. Competitively selected from a national field, Wallace accepted the position of Chief, Depot Maintenance Division, Letterkenny Army Depot in April 1961. Settling in Chambersburg with his family, his efforts were key to the development and sustained performance of the Depot. In 1963, he was promoted to Deputy Director for Maintenance and served in that capacity until September 1971, when he was selected for the position of Civilian Executive Assistant. He served as the senior civilian executive of Letterkenny Army Depot until his retirement in January 1981. His numerous awards and honors included the Department of the Army Decoration for Meritorious Civilian Service and the Commanders Award. A resident of Chambersburg for nearly 45 years, Wallace's contributions to the community have been significant and lasting. His memberships in professional, civic and religious organizations included: The Association of the United States Army; the Retired Officers Association, Letterkenny and national chapters; the American Defense Preparedness Association, Cumberland Valley and national chapter; the Rotary Club of Chambersburg; Knights of Columbus, Chambersburg Council 1426; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1445; and he has been an active member in the parish of Corpus Christi Catholic Church of Chambersburg. He served as chairman of the National Health Agencies Drive, the Community Chest Campaign, and, most notably, was the founder and first president of the Letterkenny Federal Credit Union, which continues to serve the greater Chambersburg community today as the Patriot Federal Credit Union, with over 40,000 members and assets in excess of $315,000,000 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary. A dedicated husband and father, Wallace and Helen Martello together raised five children, Captain Keith W. Martello, USN (ret); Paula E. Dominguez (deceased); Captain Charles P. Martello, USN; Kathleen M. Bagenstose; and Monette M. Perry. The wonderful family is further blessed with 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the THOMAS L. GEISEL FUNERAL HOME INC., 333 Falling Spring Rd., Chambersburg (717-264-6416). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. James R. O'Brien at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 2 in Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 320 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of the Good Shepherd, 2700 Luther Dr., Chambersburg, Pa. 17201. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.geiselfuneralhome.com