Illustrious Sovereign Grand Commander Solomon Wallace was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. His arrival was one year before the nation plunged into the Great Depression, which lasted for twelve years. During this period, Wallace's parents were wondering, like many Americans, how could a country that was so prosperous in the 1920s be thrust into a serious economic crisis? In spite of the economy quickly sliding downward, his parents provided him with the necessities of life. Wallace attended the segregated public schools of Raleigh. Shortly after high school, he enrolled at Shaw University. A historically black college founded on December 1, 1865 by Rev. Dr. Henry Martin Tupper. Shaw received monetary support from the American Baptist Home Mission Society and the Freedman's Bureau. Over the years, its graduates have tried to live up to the school's motto— " Stride to Excellence, Only the Best!" As a result, Shaw University has produced some of the most influential black leaders in the United States of America, such as Attorney Willie E, Gray and Grand Master Bernard L. Holley. While at Shaw, Wallace enjoyed the rich academic, cultural, and social environment. He selected engineering as a
major field of study. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950 and, some years later, he broadened his academic horizons by enrolling in the continuing education program at the City College of New York. Established in 1847, the City College of New York is a comprehensive teaching, research, and service institution. It is the first college of the City University System of New York. City College has undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs. Before Wallace could get fully immersed in a career as an engineer. he was drafted into the United States Army in 1951 because, one year earlier, North Korean soldiers invaded South Korea. President Harry S. Truman acted quickly and asked the United Nations to send armed forces to Korea to stop the invasion. The Security Council agreed to set up a force and General Douglas MacArthur was the commander. About 80 percent of the United Nations Forces were Americans, and Wallace was among them. After the conclusion of the Korean War, his tour of duty was completed. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, Wallace worked at several companies prior to spending 28 years as an engineer at the Long Island Based Mayer Malbin Company, Inc. The company
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