World War II Honoree

Willis Calvin Walker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Kempner, Texas

Honored By

Jane Wiesen Sharp

Relationship

Cousin

A member of the Texas A&M University Corp of Cadets September 1942 - May 1943. Walker began his medical training with the 14th Medical Training Regiment at Camp Barkley, Texas 3 July 1943. He was attached to an Army Specialized Training Program first at Indiana University then at Rutgers University in New Jersey, September 1943 - April 1944. He was then assigned to the Medical Detachment of the 413th Infantry Regiment and his unit sailed overseas in August of 1944. Calvin landed in France 7 September 1944. The unit crossed over into Belgium then Holland in October 1944. On 7 November 1944 they crossed over into Germany in support of the 1st Infantry Division. He was wounded in action 25 February 1945 when he was hit by artillery shrapnel in the neck. He was hospitalized in Europe for 24 days and ultimately, sailed back to the US aboard the USS Monterey in July of 1945. Walker was honorably discharged 5 December 1945 and received the Purple Heart Medal for injuries received in the European Theater.