John Walter
February 19, 1921 – December 12, 2017
From the 95th BG Memorials Foundation Facebook page
Truly one of our finest, 412th pilot John Walter left formation early this morning peacefully in his sleep. John had just moved to his new address at an assisted living residence. Despite a recent fall that necessitated surgery, John was as positive as ever and expected to make a strong recovery. His son reported him in good spirits as of last night.
“The Old Guy”, as John liked to call himself, was one of a kind. He wrote what stands as among the most compelling narratives of 8th AF service, My War: The True Experiences of a U.S. Army Air Force Pilot in World War II (2004). As well, John possessed a sense of humor that couldn’t be beat. One of countless examples occurred in October at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. There, while studying the painted A-2 jacket of a fellow 95ther on display, John expressed his reason for not adorning his own jacket. With that wry smile of his, John turned and said, “I did not paint my jacket because if I had to land in Germany I didn’t want to land with a billboard on my back.”
John recently purchased a new vehicle, and it seemed certain he had many more years ahead. Our loss, however, is Heaven’s gain. I am sure all our dear, dear veterans are welcoming him into Heaven today!! The 95th in the sky surely got one of the best.
Obituary
John Walter, the son of Lawrence and Jean (Sanford) Walter, was born on February 19, 1921 in Washington, Indiana. After graduating from Washington High School, he moved to Los Angeles where he attended and played football for Long Beach Junior College. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942, graduated from pilot training in January, 1944 and was assigned to the 95th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force in England in August of 1944. He flew thirty-five combat missions over Germany as a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and five air medals. Upon returning to the U.S. he served as a pilot in the Air Transport Command.
John resigned from the Air Force Reserve as a Captain in 1953. In July 1945 John married Barbara Smiley, a high school classmate. She passed away in 1999. John graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949 and joined Cummins Engine Company where he held positions in Product and Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Research and International divisions. He served as Chief Engineer during the launch of the Shotts Engine Plant in Scotland. In 1981 he presented the 27th L. Ray Buckendale lecture at the Society of Automotive Engineer’s annual meeting in Detroit. In 1984 he was tasked by Cummins to make a reality of Rudolph de Harak’s “Exploded Engine” concept that now graces the Cummins Corporate Office Building lobby.
Over the years John was active as a volunteer guide and Board member for the Columbus Visitors Center. He served as past-president of the Harrison Lake Town Meeting. He was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis, the Columbus Chapter of the Air Force Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association Columbus Chapter. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Southwestern Bartholomew Water Corporation. John was an extremely active volunteer at the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum since 1983. He was an accomplished and prolific woodworker and produced many works for friends, family and community. He also enjoyed a lifelong passion for anything to do with airplanes and railroads.
As an author John wrote My War, a book that chronicled his experiences from enlistment through combat and return home. He produced many articles for The Republic Community Correspondents Panel. In 2000 he married Ruth Braswell. She passed away in 2009. John’s father, mother and sisters, Mary Jane Berns and Eleanor Ehmann, are deceased. He is survived by his son, Gary Walter and daughter-in-law, Gwen of Dexter, Michigan. Also surviving are his stepdaughter, Judy Braswell who resides in Noblesville and his stepson, James Braswell of Denver, Colorado. John was a great son, brother, husband, father, friend and citizen and epitomized the final lines of James Michener’s war novel The Bridges at Toko-Ri, where after the death of a pilot, an Admiral asks “Where do we get such men?” A memorial service will be conducted at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Atterbury-Bakalar Museum. The family will receive online condolences at: www.Myers-Reed.com. Myers-Reed Chapel is serving the Walter family.