Walker, Jack William

Passed: 1952-10-09

Age:

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1952-10-16

Information: JACK WALKER IS WAR CASUALTY Telegram Received by Wife in Ripley on Tuesday Afternoon    Major Jack W. Walker of Ripley has lost his life in Korea.  A telegram was received by his wife here Tuesday afternoon which read as follows:  The Secretary of the Army has asked me to express his deep regret that your husband, Major Jack W. Walker is dead in Korea, cause and date unreported.  A thorough investigation is being conducted and confirming letter follows.  Signed Wm. E. Bergin Adjutant   BODY OF MAJOR WALKER BEING RETURNED, FAMILY GETS MORE INFORMATION    Major Jack W. Walker was found dead outside the barracks at Seoul about nine-thirty on the night of October 9, according to information sent to his widow here by army officials.  He was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead.    Earlier that day he had written a letter to his wife which she received the day following the receipt of the message concerning his death.  He was at Tageau at that time and told her of the plane trouble which had been experienced and during the interval of waiting for another plane he was writing her a letter.    Major Walker was a graduate of Staunton Military Academy.  He attended West Virginia University and was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.    He held a commission in the Reserve Officers Training Corps.    Major Walker served a term in the West Virginia State Legislature having been elected in 1938.  He was a member of Ripley Lodge No. 16 A.F.& A.M and also a member of St. John's Episcopal church in Ripley.    On March 23, 1940 Major Walker married Helen Lee Hysell, the daughter of H. C. Hysell and the late Dixie Hysell of Ravenswood, W. Va. and in July of the same year he entered the United States Army to serve as an Infantry Officer until February 15, 1946.  On March 11, 1945, a battlefield promotion was accorded the veteran infantry officer making him a Major.      At this time Major Walker's outfit, 3rd Battalion, 112th Infantry was driving through the Siegried Line toward the Rhine river.  Under the Major's leadership, Company L. 112th Infantry, distinguished itself in the bloody battle of Schmidt, Germany.    In the Battle of the Bulge, Major Walker received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  The battles and campaigns in which Major Walker participated were Rhineland, Normandy, Central Europe, Northern France and Ardennes.    For his exceptional services he held the Infantry Combat Badge which he prized more highly than any decoration he received.    Major Walker was recalled to active duty by his country for the Korean campaign on May 3, 1951.  He was sent to Fort Knox, where he served as Battalion Commander until December 1951.  In January 1952 he entered the Korean War.  He served in the Korean cause until the present time.    Thus the career of one of Jackson County's most distinguished soldiers has ended.  In addition to his widow he is survived by three children, Dixie, Bill and Mike Walker, all at home, his mother, Mrs. W. E. Walker of Ripley and a sister, Mrs. Robert P. Rogers, of Charleston.   Major Walker was home from Korea on a thirty day furlough in the late summer and more than a month ago was ordered back to active duty.   WALKER RITES HERE FRIDAY Funeral Rites for Ripley man Killed in Korea Held at Church    Funeral rites for Major Jack W. Walker were held from St. John's Episcopal church here on Friday afternoon with Rev. John L. Welch, rector, officiating and the burial was in the Pine Hill cemetery.   The body arrived here last Wednesday morning and was received by the Vail mortuary which was in charge of the arrangements for the funeral and burial.    Major Walker was accidentally killed in Seoul, Korea, on October 9 on the same day on which he arrived back there after spending a 30-day furlough here with his family.  He had been summoned home when his late father, W. E. Walker, died last summer.    He was a Jackson County native, served one term in the State Legislature from this county and was a veteran of 20 years service with the Army reserve and received a battlefield promotion to Major during World War II while fighting with the Army...