Homer Wallin was born December 8, 1893 in Washburn, North Dakota, son of Swedish immigrants, Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Wallin.  He attended the Jamestown College Academy as part of the Class of 1912, then enrolled at the University of North Dakota for one semester before entering the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in 1913.  He graduated from there in 1917 with a Bachelor of Science degree, then went on to receive his Master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1921.  He has twice had the Honorary Doctor of Science degree bestowed upon him, first by the University of North Dakota in 1952, then by Jamestown College in 1967.

After graduating from Annapolis, he served on the Battleship New Jersey, then after his studies at M.I.T. was an engineering officer in several locations, served as Chief of the Bureau of Ships, and commanded three separate Navy yards.  During WWII, he served on the U.S.S. California, then as Salvage Officer at Pearl Harbor.  By the time of his retirement in 1955, he had risen to the rank of Vice Admiral, the first North Dakotan to reach that level.

In addition to the two honorary doctorates, Adm. Wallin holds the Navy Cross, which is awarded for heroism in military operations against opposing forces.  It is the highest honor given by the Navy and second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor.  He also holds the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit for exceptional service and conduct in the line of duty.

Adm. Wallin married his wife, Elizabeth, in 1932. They have two children and reside in Seattle, WA.