U.S. Navy Command Master Chief and Wife Die in North Carolina Collision
Duplin County, N.C., November 13, 2024 — In a tragic accident that has shaken the military community and their loved ones, U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Simba Wallace and his wife, Natalie Castro, lost their lives in a vehicular collision in rural North Carolina. The couple’s Jeep Wrangler collided with a semi-truck near the crossroads of Ludie Brown Road and Willie Hatcher Road around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the couple’s southbound Jeep was struck by a westbound semi-truck transporting chickens, resulting in a devastating crash that overturned the Jeep and forced it off the roadway. Wallace and Castro were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck was transported to ECU Health Duplin Hospital with minor injuries.
Officials reported that the crash unfolded as Wallace and Castro navigated Willie Hatcher Road in their Jeep, a vehicle known for its stability and resilience, but one that could do little to protect its passengers in such a high-impact collision. The semi-truck, loaded with livestock, continued on Ludie Brown Road, striking the couple’s vehicle with full force and leading to the Jeep's violent overturning. First responders arrived promptly, but sadly, they found that both Wallace and Castro had already succumbed to their injuries.
Simba Wallace’s loss has reverberated deeply across both his local community and the naval family he served for nearly three decades. Originally from Camden, New Jersey, Wallace’s journey with the Navy began in 1995 after graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Technology (BAST) in Health Information Technology from Thomas Edison State University. Over the years, his career reflected an unwavering commitment to service. Wallace earned promotions that placed him in increasingly impactful roles, ultimately reaching the esteemed position of Command Master Chief in 2022.
Throughout his distinguished career, Wallace served in various significant postings, including the National Naval Medical Center and the Naval Air Warfare Center in Trenton. He took on roles that brought him to the Naval Air Station in Willow Grove, the Northern Clinics, and the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard’s League Island Branch Medical Clinic. His progression to First Class Petty Officer in 2006 marked a pivotal step in his career, and his later advancement to Master Chief Petty Officer in 2021 further underscored his dedication and contributions to the Navy. His most recent post was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, where he served as Command Master Chief, a role that brought with it a profound responsibility for guiding enlisted personnel and shaping the command’s operational culture.
Natalie Castro, Wallace’s beloved wife, was known to many as a compassionate and supportive presence, standing beside Wallace in his journey and deeply connected to their community. Together, the couple was cherished by neighbors and military friends, many of whom expressed grief and disbelief at the news of their passing. Castro was known for her kindness and warmth, often offering encouragement to others within their network.
In the wake of their deaths, an outpouring of tributes has highlighted the high regard and admiration they commanded among those who knew them. One heartfelt tribute, penned by a fellow member of the Camp Lejeune Area Chiefs Mess, captured the sentiments of many: “Today was an emotional day for the Camp Lejeune Area Chiefs mess and the Navy as a whole! We lost an amazing leader, a dear friend, and his loving wife. Many of us had the honor and privilege to not only know Simba Wallace but to work with him, know him personally, and be friends and brother to an incredible human being… To the family of Simba Wallace and Natalie Castro, you have my deepest sympathies. Simba was one of a kind. Love you always, my brother. 'Til Valhalla.”
The sudden passing of Simba Wallace and Natalie Castro has left an irreplaceable void, not only in their community but in the broader military family. As friends, family, and Navy colleagues come to terms with this tragedy, there is a resounding consensus that Wallace’s legacy as a leader, friend, and mentor will live on. The bond he shared with his fellow sailors, his commitment to the Navy’s mission, and his connection with the people he served with has left a lasting imprint.
For many, Wallace represented the best of the Navy—an individual driven not only by duty but by an innate sense of responsibility toward those he served alongside. In this dark moment, the Navy has lost one of its most dedicated leaders, and the impact will be felt across bases and families alike.
Simba Wallace and Natalie Castro will be remembered for their commitment to each other, to their community, and to a life of service. Their legacy will endure as a reminder of the resilience and dedication that defined their lives, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew and loved them.
