His last known mission was with the Fighting Squadron 47(VF-47) – USS Bataan (CVL-29), where he was lost at sea along Kyushu, Japan. This occurred on March 1, 1945, and he was later reported Killed in Action on March 20, 1945.
The President of the United States (Harry S. Truman) spoke on behalf of Walker when awarding the Navy Cross. He said this, “Launched from his carrier to lead a flight on combat air patrol when he observed a hostile plane diving over the ships of his Task Force, Commander Ethridge unhesitatingly pursued the threatening enemy to blast him from the sky and prevent a damaging blow to our surface vessels, pressing home his attack against the Japanese aircraft in the face of an intense, deadly fire and resolutely continuing his valiant efforts until his own plane burst into flames and glided into the sea. Walker showed courageous determination and heroic defense of his Taskforce in the final hours of his life. His final rank in the US Navy was Commander. His body could not be located due to it being lost at sea during his final mission. He is memorialized at the Missing Court 3 at the Honolulu Memorial. |
Walker's name on the memorial.
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