ALCOAST 090/26 - APR 2026 DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER, HALF-MASTING OF NATIONAL ENSIGN, AND FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

R 081406Z APR 26   MID320018632091U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 090/26
SSIC 1700
SUBJ: DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER, HALF-MASTING OF NATIONAL
ENSIGN, AND FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
A. Military Personnel Casualties and Decedent Affairs,
COMDTINST 1770.9A
1. It is with great sadness that I announce the death of
Rear Admiral Sidney A. Wallace, USCG (retired), who passed away
on 09 January 2026, in Preston, VA, at the age of 98. RADM Wallace
was born on 16 October 1927, in Alcoa, TN.
2. RADM Wallace's exemplary service to the U. S. Coast Guard and
this Nation is reflected in his biography which is detailed below
and is available at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/All/
Article/1919534/rear-admiral-sidney-a-wallace/

    a. RADM Wallace graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy,
New London, CT, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine
Engineering and commissioned as an Ensign on 03 June 1949.
    b. He earned a Juris Doctor degree with Honors from
George Washington University National Law Center, graduated with
distinction from the Air War College, and earned Master's Degree
of Political Science from Auburn University.
    c. He served aboard two Coast Guard cutters: USCGC MENDOTA
(Wilmington, NC) and USCGC FINCH(Green Cove Springs, FL).
    d. Following CG flight training he was designated as CG
Aviator No. 655, and served at CG AIRSTA San Francisco,
AIRSTA Kodiak, AIRSTA Elizabeth City, and AIRSTA Barbers Point.
    e. He also served in the Office of Operations at CG Headquarters
as Chief, Flight Safety Branch; Chief, Aviation Support Section; and
Assistant Chief, Aviation Branch; and, following Air War College, he
assumed command of the newly established CG AIRSTA New Orleans, LA,
where he rose to the rank of Captain. As Captain, he served as
Chief, Marine Environmental Protection Division, Office of Marine
and Environmental Systems where he was awarded a CG Commendation
Medal for service in support of the International Marine Pollution
Conference.
    f. RADM Wallace was among five Captains nominated by
President Ford and confirmed by the Senate to the rank of
Rear Admiral on 01 July 1975 where he served as Chief,
Office of Public and International Affairs. He was awarded a
Meritorious Service Medal for his service.
    g. He then assumed a newly created post as Executive Director,
Marine Safety Task Force on Tanker Safety, Office of the Secretary
of Transportation, concurrently serving as Maritime Policy Advisor
to the Secretary, where he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
3. RADM Wallace officially retired from the Coast Guard on
01 January 1979, accepting a position as Counsel to the Committee
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, U.S. House of Representatives.
He left Capitol Hill in 1981 and entered private practice of law.
4. RADM Wallace is survived by his wife Jacqueline T. Wallace.
They have two sons, Wesley Wallace (deceased 2015) and Evan Wallace.
5. By order of the Commandant, the National Ensign shall be flown
at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on 27 April 2026 in honor of
RADM Sidney A. Wallace. The National Ensign shall be flown at
half-mast on all Coast Guard buildings, grounds, and vessels
not underway.
6. A funeral with military honors for RADM Wallace will be
held at the Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, April 27, 2026,
at 3:00 PM EDT. Attendees should arrive no later than 2:15 EDT.
All family and friends are welcome to attend the interment.
The ceremony will be livestreamed at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://evt.live/sydney-wallace-burial-service

Questions can be directed to Evan Wallace via evan@zymary.com.
7. CAPT Christopher Hulser, Assistant Commandant for Workforce
Management (CG-WM), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.