2022 Hall of Fame Inductee
University of Missouri - Columbia (1939)
Maj. (Ret.) Zachariah R. Wall was born on July 18, 1916, in Kirksville, Missouri.
He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where he completed both a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and the Army ROTC program. He graduated and received his commission into the Army Reserves in 1939.
While Wall never saw combat during World War II, his efforts stateside had a direct impact on operations in both the European and Pacific Theaters. He played a significant role in the reception, classification, and training of draftees that would serve across the world.
In 1940, the Army activated Wall to active duty service on to help activate the U.S. Army’s Seventh Corps Area’s first reception center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, under the Adjutant General Department’s Classification and Assignment Section. This center, now the historic Normandy Chapel, was the first reception center established in the Mid-West.
Six months later he aided in the formation of the reception center in Fort Des Moines, Iowa, which later became the first Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) training center. After Fort Des Moines, Wall became instrumental in activating a Citizen’s Military Training Camp (CMTC) at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas, the Infantry Replacement Training Center (IRTC) at Fort McClellan, Alabama. An estimated 1,000,000 enlisted and officer, men and women, passed through these training centers before joining units in Europe and the Pacific theater.
Appointed a Captain in 1943, Wall became a Classification and Assignment Officer, working in the Army Specialize Training Program (ASTP). Before its dissolution, the ASTP provided technically and professionally trained specialized for the war. Due to his background, Wall then assumed command of the Fort Eustis Antiaircraft Replacement Training Center (AARTC) Classification and Assignment Company. After command, Wall continued to travel, training others, and opening new training centers across the United States. At the end of WWII, the Army promoted him to Major, and he received an Honorable Discharge.
After the war, Wall went on to have a successful career in management. He was an active participant in his community and a member of the Military Order of the World Wars since 1985.
He continued to serve his community until his passing. In 1961, he organized the first Boy Scout Troop, #500, in Ocean Beach, California. He provided his expertise in finance local organizations including the Lions Club and San Diego Realty Board on matters of Finance. He also served as the President for the Executives Association of San Diego and Committee Chair for Agriculture and Conservation for the San Diego Kiwanis Club.
On November 21, 2021, at the age of 104, Wall died surrounded by his family.
About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.
The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
Read more about the 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees.
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