World War II Honoree

Lewis William Walt

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Harveyville, Kansas

Honored By

William E. Shaklee

Relationship

Cousin

COMMANDER OF COMPANY A, 1ST MARINE RAIDER BATTALION, SOLOMON ISLANDS, 1942; REGIMENTAL OPERATIONS OFFICER, THEN COMMANDING OFFICER 2ND BATTALION, 5TH MARINE REGIMENT, 1942-1943, REGIMENTAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER, 1943; COMMANDER 2ND BATTALION, 5TH MARINES, 1943-1944, 1945; REGIMENTAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER 5TH MARINES, 1944-1945; CHIEF TACTICS SECTION, OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL, QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, 1945-1946; BATTALION LANDING TEAM INSTRUCTOR, TROOP TRAINING UNIT, PACIFIC, MARINE CORPS BASE, SAN DIEGO, 1946-1947. HE SERVED IN CHINA, HONOLULU, GUAM, TULAGI, GUADALCANAL, AUSTRALIA AND NEW GUINEA. AT TULAGI HIS COMPANY OF MARINES WAS THE FIRST ASHORE. HE ROSE FROM FIRST LIEUTENANT TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL IN 10 MONTHS. THE MARINE CORPS UNIT WHICH HE COMMANDED IN NEW BRITAIN TOOK A RIDGE FROM A CRACK JAPANESE UNIT, INCLUDING TROOPS WHICH HAD FOUGHT THE AMERICAN FORCES ON BATAAN. THE RIDGE WAS NAMED 'WALT'S RIDGE' IN HIS HONOR. HIS DECORATIONS INCLUDE THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC RIBBON WITH 3 STARS, CHINA SERVICE RIBBON, PRESIDENTIAL CITATION FOR FIRST MARINE DIVISION, 2 NAVY CROSSES, 2 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALS, SILVER STAR, LEGION OF MERIT WITH COMBAT V, BRONZE STAR WITH COMBAT B, AND 2 PURPLE HEARTS.