World War II Honoree

William Earl 'Bill' Walker

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Muskogee, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED AS A RADAR TECHNICIAN IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD SHIPS INCLUDING THE LIGHT CRUISER USS CONCORD (CL-10). USS CONCORD PARTICIPATED IN CONVOY ESCORT MISSIONS, SHORE BOMBARDMENT AND AS THE FLAGSHIP FOR THEIR FORCE. OPERATED ALONG THE COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA AND IN THE SOUTHEAST PACIFIC ISLANDS. ALSO SAILED TO ADAK ISLAND IN ALASKA IN APRIL, 1944 AS FLAGSHIP AND THEN OPERATED PRIMARILY IN NORTH ATLANTIC WATERS. HIS SHIP BOMBARDED THE KURILE ISLANDS NORTHEAST OF JAPAN PERIODICALLY UNTIL WAR'S END TO PREVENT JAPAN'S USE OF BASES THERE. ALSO ENGAGED IN EFFORTS TO HARASS NORTHERN JAPANESE SHIPPING LANES IN 1944. AFTER JAPAN'S SURRENDER, HIS SHIP COVERED OCCUPATION FORCE LANDINGS AT OMINATO, JAPAN FROM SEPTEMBER 8-14, 1945. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE SERVICE STAR, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RATING OF RADARMAN SECOND CLASS AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.