Walton Walker
Walton Walker | |
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Battles/wars |
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Awards | Army Commendation Medal Eulji Order of Military Merit (2) |
Relations | General Sam S. Walker (son) |
Walton Harris Walker (December 3, 1889 – December 23, 1950) was a
Early life
Walker was born in Belton, Texas, on December 3, 1889. His parents, Sam and Lydia Walker were both college graduates whose fathers had been officers in the Confederate Army. His father, a merchant, taught him how to ride a horse and to hunt and shoot. He graduated from the Wedemeyer Academy, a school which operated in Belton from 1886 to 1911. From a young age, he desired to go to United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, and he hoped to be a general one day.
Early military career
Walker attended the Virginia Military Institute in preparation for his education at the USMA. He entered the Academy on June 15, 1907, but resigned on October 7, 1907. He reentered the Academy on March 3, 1908, and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry on June 12, 1912.[1]
As a lieutenant, Walker served at
During
Interwar period
After the war, Walker rotated through a variety of assignments at
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on August 1, 1935, and, after attending the United States Army War College from August 1935 until June 1936,[5] he served as post executive officer and then brigade executive officer with the 5th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division, from August 1936 to June 1937; the brigade was commanded by George C. Marshall, the future Army Chief of Staff.[6][5]
World War II
Walker served as a staff officer in the War Plans Division with the General Staff Corps in Washington, D.C. from August 1937 to April 1941. He next served as commanding officer of the 36th Infantry Regiment, which was activated April 15, 1941, as the 36th Infantry (Armored) and assigned to the 3rd Armored Division, June 1941; on January 1, 1942, it was redesignated the 36th Armored Infantry.[7]
When Marshall (now Chief of Staff) assigned George S. Patton to organize America's armored forces, Walker successfully lobbied Marshall for a post as one of Patton's subordinate commanders, gaining promotion to brigadier general in the process. Promoted to major general in 1942; he commanded the 3rd Armored Division from August 1941 to August 1942. After being succeeded by Leroy H. Watson, Walker became commanding general of IV Corps and then XX Corps (IV Armored Corps became XX Corps), taking the latter to England in February 1944 and leading it into combat in Normandy in July as part of Patton's Third Army. He was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action on July 7, 1944. The citation for the medal reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star Medal to Major General Walton Harris Walker (ASN: 0-3405), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy. When Infantry troops of the XX Corps launched an attack across the Vire River in the vicinity of Airel, 7 July 1944, and came under intensive enemy fire, General Walker made repeated visits to the disputed sector and exposed himself to mortar and artillery concentrations at the front in order to encourage the officers and men making the crossing. By his personal gallantry, he expedited the vital assault and contributed to the establishment of the bridgehead. General Walker's conduct reflects credit upon himself and the military service.[4]
Walker's XX Corps played a role in Patton's dash across France in August and early September 1944, earning the sobriquet "Ghost Corps" for the speed of its advance. He received the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) or extraordinary heroism on August 23, 1944, the citation for which reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General Walton Harris Walker (ASN: 0-3405), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States. On 23 August 1944, Maj General Walker, Commanding General, XX United States Army Corps, with complete disregard for his own safety, personally directed the successful operation which established a bridgehead across the Seine River near Melun, France. By his continuous presence with the forward elements of his command, as well as exemplary judgment and leadership, he inspired his command in effecting an early crossing of the Seine River and the continuance of the attack eastward. General Walker's contact with the forward combat troops was maintained in the face of heavy enemy fire. He repeatedly exposed himself to this enemy fire, encouraging the troops to move forward and by doing so gave them the required confidence to continue their advance. When certain elements were halted by intense enemy fire, he courageously assumed personal command and through his own supervision, force and persuasion, although he himself was in complete view of the enemy, caused the troops to effect the crossing of the river. By his intrepid direction, heroic leadership and superior tactical knowledge and ability, General Walker set an inspiring example for his command, reflecting the highest traditions of the armed forces.[4]
Walker's troops saw heavy fighting in France and Germany during the remainder of the war, especially at Metz, the Battle of the Bulge, and in the invasion of Germany. In the spring of 1945, XX Corps liberated Buchenwald concentration camp, then pushed south and east, eventually reaching Linz, Austria by May. Walker received his third star at this time, making him a lieutenant general.[8][5][1]
Walker received the unconditional surrender of Generaloberst Lothar Rendulic, commander of German Army Group South, on 7 May 1945. For his service as commander of XX Corps from 1944 to 1945 He was awarded the Legion of Merit.[4]
Post-World War II
In May 1945, Walker returned to the United States. He was given command of the 8th Service Command, headquartered in
Korean War
At the end of World War II in 1945,
Shortly after 75,000 North Korean troops with tanks invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950,
Walker's situation was not helped by MacArthur's unrealistic demands from Tokyo for him not to retreat an inch. Attempting to obey, Walker gave a bombastic "not a step back" speech to his staff and subordinate commanders which did not go over well[citation needed]. Nor did it stop the North Korean troops from pushing back American and South Korea troops, which had been badly mauled in the opening days of the invasion, even further. As American and South Korean forces retreated further east and south, they finally arrived at a defensible line on the Nakdong River. They took advantage of shortened supply routes and a relatively good road network to exploit the advantages of interior lines. Walker was able to quickly shift his units from point to point, stopping North Korean attacks before they could be reinforced.
A critical advantage Walker had was
American military forces gradually solidified this defensive position on the southeast side of the Korean peninsula, dubbed the "
With MacArthur's amphibious flanking move, the North Koreans seemed trapped, but Walker's rapid advance northwest towards
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant General Walton Harris Walker (ASN: 0-3405), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding General of the 8th United States Army. Lieutenant General Walker distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea from 14 July to 28 September 1950. During this campaign General Walker personally, and at great risk to his own life from enemy ground fire, performed repeated aerial reconnaissance flights in unarmed plane deep into enemy territory. The knowledge gained by General Walker from these flights was of inestimable value to him in making tactical decisions, and contributed greatly to the accomplishment of his mission in spite of the preponderance of force possessed by the enemy. In addition to the above and with personal disregard not only of health of but life itself, he spent hour after hour and day after day on the battlefield, inspiring the United Nations forces with his own courage and his will to fight. Where acts of personal courage were common, General Walker's fearlessness and courageous leadership were outstanding.[4]
With the war apparently won, Walker's Eighth Army quickly moved north and, with the independent
Contrary to MacArthur's expectations, the Chinese intervened in force on November 25, first in a series of ambushes, then in sporadic night attacks, and finally in an all-out offensive in which three Chinese armies infiltrated the lines,[14] taking advantage of the American failure to take basic security measures, and the large gaps between American and South Korean units and between the Eighth Army and the X Corps. From late October until the beginning of December in 1950, the Chinese killed or captured thousands of American and ROK soldiers, decimating the 2nd Infantry Division and forcing Walker into a desperate retreat.
By early December, using his superior mobility, Walker successfully broke contact with the Chinese, withdrawing south to a position around Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. Without instructions from MacArthur's headquarters, Walker decided that the Eighth Army was too battered to defend Pyongyang and ordered the retreat to resume to below the 38th parallel, saving most of the Eighth Army.[14]
Death and burial
Walker was killed in a traffic accident on December 23, 1950, in
Military awards and badges
Walker's decorations and awards, and badges, include:
Distinguished Service Cross w/ bronze oak leaf cluster | |
Distinguished Service Medal w/ bronze oak leaf cluster | |
Silver Star w/ two bronze oak leaf clusters | |
Legion of Merit | |
Distinguished Flying Cross w/ bronze oak leaf cluster | |
Bronze Star Medal | |
Air Medal w/ two silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster | |
Army Commendation Medal
| |
World War I Victory Medal w/ three 3⁄16" bronze stars | |
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal | |
American Defense Service Medal | |
American Campaign Medal | |
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ one 3⁄16" silver star and one 3⁄16" bronze star
| |
World War II Victory Medal | |
Army of Occupation Medal | |
National Defense Service Medal | |
Korean Service Medal w/ three 3⁄16" bronze stars | |
French Croix de Guerre w/ bronze star and palm
| |
Republic of Korea Order of Military Merit, Second Class | |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
| |
United Nations Service Medal for Korea
| |
Republic of Korea War Service Medal |
- Badges
Army Staff Identification Badge |
Military promotions
Source – Official Register of the United States Army. 1946. pg. 713
No insignia | Cadet, United States Military Academy: June 15, 1907 |
No pin insignia in 1912 | Second Lieutenant, Regular Army: June 12, 1912 |
First Lieutenant, Regular Army: July 1, 1916 | |
Captain , Regular Army: May 17, 1917
| |
National Army : June 7, 1918
| |
Lieutenant Colonel, National Army: May 6, 1919 | |
Captain, Regular Army: February 12, 1920 | |
Major, Regular Army: July 1, 1920 | |
Lieutenant Colonel, Regular Army: August 1, 1935 | |
Colonel, Army of the United States: February 14, 1941 | |
Brigadier General, Army of the United States: July 10, 1941 | |
Major General, Army of the United States: February 16, 1942 | |
Colonel, Regular Army: May 1, 1942 | |
Lieutenant General , Army of the United States: April 15, 1945
| |
Major General, Regular Army: August 1, 1947 | |
General, Regular Army (posthumous): January 2, 1951[14] |
Legacy and honors
Promoted posthumously to 4-star General, Walker's memory was much honored in the years immediately following the Korean War. The Army chose his name (and his other nickname), for its next light tank, the M41 Walker Bulldog. The M41 Tank was already nicknamed the Little Bulldog before Gen. Walker's death. The Army dropped the word Little and retained the name Bulldog as part of the new nickname for the M41 Tank.
In
In Belton, Texas, American Legion Post 55 is named after him.
One of the largest
Camp Walker in Daegu, South Korea, is named in his honor.
In 1963, South Korea President
In December 2009, the mayor of
Walker Intermediate School which is located on the Fort Knox Army Garrison, was named after Walker and opened in 1962.[18] His picture hangs in the school lobby.
A biography of Walker was published in 2008 titled General Walton H. Walker: Forgotten Hero-The Man Who Saved Korea, by Charles M. Province.
In popular culture
Walker was portrayed by Douglas Fowley in the 1963 film Miracle of the White Stallions, and by Garry Walberg in the 1977 film MacArthur.
References
- ^ a b c d "United States Army officer histories". Unit Histories. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
- ^ Ambrose, Stephen, Eisenhower, Soldier, General of the Army, President-Elect - 1890-1952, [Touchstone, 1983], page 57.
- ^ "Welcome".
- ^ a b c d e Military Times Hall of Valor
- ^ a b c "Biography of General Walton Harris Walker (1889−1950), USA". generals.dk.
- ^ "George C. Marshall (1880–1959) – Encyclopedia Virginia".
- ^ "36th Infantry". www.history.army.mil. Archived from the original on March 24, 2008.
- ^ United States Military Academy (WPAOG) Archived January 23, 2018, at the Wayback Machine Memorial
- ^ This Day in History, 1950, Korean War Begins
- ^ a b c National Archives, US Enters the Korean Conflict
- ^ a b History Vault, Korean War
- ^ Time, How the Korean War Started, June 25, 2015
- ^ Frahm, Jill. "SIGINT & the PUSAN Perimeter".
- ^ a b c d DefenseMediaNetwork, October 2, 2014
- ^ In 1950, Dobong belonged to Yangju County
- ^ Halberstam, The Coldest Winter, p. 486
- ^ Burial Detail: Walker, Walton H – ANC Explorer
- ^ "Walker Intermediate School- About Our Namesake". Am.dodea.edu. December 23, 1959. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
Bibliography
- https://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN9781500830793&newbks=0&redir_esc=y
- ISBN 1-59114-075-7.
- ISBN 1-57488-334-8.
- ISBN 978-1-4013-0052-4.
- Heefner, Wilson Allen (2001). Patton's Bulldog: The Life and Service of General Walton H. Walker. White Mane Books. ISBN 978-1572492837.
- Tucker, Spencer C., ed. (2002). Encyclopedia of the Korean War: A Political, Social and Military History (New ed.). Santa Barbara: Checkmark Books. ISBN 0-8160-4682-4.
- Monument unveiled for legendary U.S. Army general
- Sandler, Stanley (1995). The Korean War, an Encyclopedia. New York: Garland Publishing. ISBN 0-8240-4445-2.
- Taaffe, Stephen R. (2013). Marshall and His Generals: U.S. Army Commanders in World War II. OCLC 840162019.
- Province, Charles M. (2008). General Walton H. Walker: Forgotten Hero - The Man Who Saved Korea. ISBN 978-1440472886.