World War II Honoree

Ned Hoon Walters, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Columbus, Ohio

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1939 AT AGE 17. AFTER TRAINING, SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER ON COASTAL AND HARBOR DEFENSE SUBMARINES USS R-16 (SS-93) AND USS R-6 (SS-83) ALONG THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE SUBMARINE USS CATFISH (SS-339). HIS SHIP SAILED FROM NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT ON MAY 4, 1945 IN THE CLOSING DAYS OF THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC AND ARRIVED IN HAWAII ON JUNE 29, 1945. SAILED FROM GUAM IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS ON AUGUST 8, 1945 ON ITS FIRST WAR PATROL, ON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE DROPPING OF THE SECOND ATOMIC BOMB ON JAPAN. WHEN THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TERMS ON AUGUST 14, 1945, HIS SUB WAS ORDERED TO THE YELLOW SEA FOR SURFACE PATROL OPERATIONS AND LIFEGUARD DUTY. RETURNED TO GUAM ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1945 AND TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1945. ALSO SERVED ABOARD THE SUBMARINE USS DIODON (SS-349) AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES ENGAGED PRIMARILY IN TRAINING OPERATIONS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.