| Notes |
- In an email on 19 Sep 2010, Richard James Walter wrote:
"I have been on again and off again trying to put together a record of our Dad's World War II service and really got back into again after Uncle Elmer's package of cards and letters gave us more clues. I came upon a discovery this weekend that I wanted to share with you.
Some background. We know from his Honorable Discharge that he was inducted (he didn't enlist) on March 5, 1942 and departed for Hawaii on April 21, 1942 and arrived in Hawaii on April 28, 1942. The discharge record gives little clue as to the company he was assigned but does indicate that he went through technical training and his specialty was AP Armorer 911. We know from his postcards that prior to departing Hawaii he did his basic training at Fort George Meade in Maryland and then technical training at Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi which is pretty cool since I know you Luke were initially at Keesler or at least Biloxi if I am remembering correctly.
So he arrived in Hawaii on April 28th, 1942 and letters he wrote from there show as a return address 73rd Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group. The Army Air Force 73rd Fighter Squadron was initially attached to the 18th Pursuit (later Fighter) Group and on October 15, 1942 was assigned to the 318th Fighter Group. Historical records show that the 73rd Fighter Group was stationed at Bellows Field, Hawaii through May 1942 and then Midway Island beginning June 1942, back to Hawaii January 26, 1943 and then Saipan, an island in the Pacific in June 1944. Our Dad departed for the U.S. Mainland on November 5, 1944.
Anyway, the discovery. In 1942 our Dad was with the 73rd Fighter Squadron (nickname Bar Flies) assigned to the 318th Fighter Group and stationed at Bellows Field Hawaii through June and then Midway Island through the end of 1942. Attached is a group picture of his Squadron taken either at Bellows Field or at Midway Island. It is titled, "318th FG 73rd FS 1942" and below the picture it reads, "318th FG 73rd FS. C.O. Maj. "Swearin" John Evans". While no names are associated with the picture you will find our Dad front and center with his unmistakable smile."
Several pieces of the puzzle of Lucas Joseph Walter's military service have been put together and are included here as pictures. Several items of interest are the "17 Post Cards during WWII in the Army", "Letter to Parents, 7 Aug 1942, from Hawaii in the Army", "Letter to Parents, 28 Nov 1943, from Hawaii in the Army", "Lucas J. Walter, Sr.--Loading Airplane Camera (Pacific Stars & Stripes)", Lucas J. Walter, Sr. at Crile Army Hospital", "and "Recollections of Lucas J. Walter's War Experiences".
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1920 - 1955 (35 years)