Long before Wallace Earl “Wally” Clendenen became a World War II veteran, Knoxville businessman and familiar figure in the community, a few terrifying moments on the Bald River put the 19-year-old student to a test of courage.

On May 10, 1941, Clendenen and fellow Tennessee Wesleyan College student Marvin B. Gass, 20, were near a waterfall outside Tellico Plains when Gass fell into the river.

Gass was dazed and swept into water about 8 feet deep. Making the situation even more dangerous, he was only about 30 feet upstream from the brink of a higher waterfall.

Clendenen did not wait.

Still fully clothed and dealing with a knee weakened by a strain, he jumped from the bank to a rock about 3 feet above the water. He then dove into the river, swam toward Gass and went underwater to reach him.

The rescue became even more dangerous when the struggling Gass wrapped his arms around Clendenen’s waist. Unable to break free, Clendenen fought his way back to the surface with Gass still clinging to him.

He then swam toward a rock about 15 feet away, twice being pulled underwater by Gass’ weight. Another young man finally reached them, freed Clendenen from Gass’ grip and helped pull both men onto the rock.

Gass, nearly unconscious, was revived. Clendenen emerged exhausted and badly winded — but alive, along with the young man he had risked his life to save.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission recognized Clendenen for the rescue, naming him a Carnegie hero in 1942.

His story of service did not end at Bald River.

Clendenen later served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a radio operator-gunner aboard a B-26 Marauder, flying 66 missions over Europe. He received the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and France’s Croix de Guerre avec Palme. Back home, he became president of Knoxville Wholesale Drug Company and remained active in Knoxville churches and civic life.

Clendenen died in Knoxville in 2020 at age 98.

Nearly eight decades earlier, beside a waterfall in the East Tennessee mountains, a 19-year-old made a split-second decision to go Above & Beyond — and another young man lived because of it.

Information for this story was sourced from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.

This column highlights organizations, businesses, and individuals who go Above & Beyond through exceptional service, community involvement, and a commitment to making a difference. Know someone whose story deserves to be shared? Email news@knoxtntoday.com with your nomination.

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