Clyde Walker’s Death Is Confirmed
Mr. & Mrs. L. A. Walker Get Word From War Dept.
Mr. and Mrs. L. A. WALKER received a letter from the war department recently which confirmed the death of one of their sons who had been in the service and who had been reported missing in action last summer.
The letter which they received is as follows:
Army Air Forces
Hdq. South Pacific Wing
Pacific Division
Air Transport Command
1550th AAF Base Unit
15 December 1945
Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Walker,
R. F. D. No. 1, La Grande
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Walker,
It is with deepest regret that I write this letter confirming that your son, Sergeant Clyde A. Walker, 39325795, has been officially declared deceased.
You have been advised previously that all possible efforts of the army and navy rescue units were utilized in the search for your son after having been forced down at sea, approximately 110 miles south of Los Negros, in the Admiralty Islands, on June 21, 1945. I wish to say again every possible effort was made to rescue the officers and enlisted men who were aboard the Air Sea Rescue Aircraft on which your son was serving as serial engineer.
Your son’s last flight was made to secure invaluable data and safety information with which to indoctrinate other Air Rescue units. In this operation, Sergeant Walker met his responsibilities with great courage and attention to duty. The memory of his performance of this duty, necessary in the execution of the mission of his organization, will be remembered by myself and by the officers and men of this command, as a fine example of courage and devotion to duty, which is an inspiration to all who knew him and is in the finest tradition of the military service.
Archie J. Old (Signed)
Brigadier Gen., U. S. A.
Commanding
The La Grande Observer, January 4, 1946
Contributed by: Holly Vonderohe