He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in April 1943, and when IMAC was redesignated III Amphibious Corps under Major General Roy Geiger in April 1944, he participated in the planning and execution of the Bougainville Campaign, Landing on Emirau, Recapture of Guam or Battle of Okinawa. For his service in this capacity, Wade was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V".