World War II Honoree

Julius Edward 'J.E.' Walker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Dale, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

HE AND HIS BROTHER ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE AFTER THE JAPANESE SURPRISE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. SELECTED FOR THE ARMY AIR FORCES AVIATION CADET PROGRAM. SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE BASIC AND ADVANCED FLYING TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PILOTS, WAS AWARDED HIS SILVER PILOT WINGS, AND COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN 1942. EARMARKED FOR HEAVY BOMBER TRANSITION FLYING TRAINING AND THEN SELECTED TO BECOME A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER IN THIS CAPACITY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WAR, AND BY AUGUST, 1945, HAD TRAINED HUNDREDS OF OTHER PILOTS TO FLY THE B-24 'LIBERATOR' AND B-29 'SUPERFORTRESS' BOMBERS. AMASSED OVER 5,000 FLYING HOURS. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.