Walker lived in the family home in Lauderdale County, MS until he graduated in 1934 when he moved to Annapolis, Maryland, for education at the US Naval Academy. When looking at the future, after spending a year at Mississippi A’ and M (Mississippi A&M Aggies of Agricultural and Mechanical College of Mississippi), he decided to attend the Naval Academy. During Plebe Year (The first year) he struggled with the Steam Department for awhile but since then academics were more or less a matter of course. Walker was always athletic, and whenever he was in a athletic event he would have a smile on his face. He always knew what was going on in the sport's scene. He was pretty intimate with the fair sex and was seen with “Miss Spring Field”. Walker’s roommate said, “As a roommate Walker has been one of the best. Here’s a toast to you and your success whether it be in the Navy or on the U.S.S Outside.”
Military Life
Walker was stationed as an Ensign on the USS Mississippi from July 1934 to October 1936. The USS Mississippi was a New Mexico-class battleship that had a length of 624’ and a range of 8,000 nautical miles. It was awarded eight battle stars during its time. There were six different embarkments: July 1934, October 1934, January 1935, April 1935, October 1935, and January 1936. He then started working as an Ensign in the Observation Plane Squadron (VO) 3B on the USS Mississippi, in April 1936. This squadron was used as a patrol for the navy battleships. He worked with the Squadron until July 1936. Walker was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, from January 1937 to January 1938. His rank was promoted from an Ensign to a Lieutenant in September 1937.
Walker was later assigned to the Bombing Squadron (VB) 6 on the USS Enterprise. This squadron took part in raids on Japanese-controlled islands during the World War II. This bombing squadron was a part of the Enterprise Air Group, which had other squadrons. This Enterprise Air Group had an important part in World War II. These squadrons were bombers, fighters, and torpedo bombers. Walker was a part of this squadron until June 1940. Walker was in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, and he departed from there on August 9, 1940. He embarked on the SS Lurline, Voyage 168, to travel to Los Angeles, California. In November 1940, he was reassigned back to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, he was reassigned until April 1941.
In 1943, Walker was promoted from Lieutenant Commander to Commander. He was also transferred from staff duty at sea to command of a naval fighting squadron. 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.