Webster County Louisiana Archives Biographies.....Walker, Joe March 1, 1919 - March 17, 1965
Submitted By: Debra Dame
Date Submitted: Oct. 11, 2009
Contact: dwdame@att.net
Source: The Shreveport Times, Oct. 31, 1942


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DOYLINE FLIER BRINGS HIS TRANSPORT THROUGH HAIL OF BULLETS IN INDIA

Lieut. Joe Walker of Doyline, the Barksdale "enlisted man who made good", has 
done it again--this time by riding safely through a flurry of bullets that 
peppered his transport plane over India, according to an Associated Press 
announcement yesterday from Chunking, China.

Lieutenant Walker, with Lieutenant Vernon L. Scott of Hazel, S.D., took off 
from a northeast Indian airport Sunday while it was being bombed by the 
Japanese and two Zero fighters chased them 30 miles.  One cannon shell 
punctured the left auxilliary gasoline tank and ten machine-gun bullets holed 
the plane.

THEN A DOG BITES HIM
"In shaking off the Japs we made so much speed over the treetops and mountain 
slopes that even the manufacturers of that transport would be surprised," said 
Walker.

Lieutenant Scott, however, became a casualty soon after reaching China--a dog 
at the officers' mess bit his leg.  

The son of Mrs. and Mrs. Robert L. Walker of Doyline, Lieutenant Walker was 
used by Barksdale Field authorities as a typical example that the Air Corps 
offers opportunities to boys who come in as enlisted men.

ENLISTED AT BARKSDALE
He finished grade school at Doyline, and attended high school in 1937-38 and 
part of 1939.  He enlisted in the Sixth Air base squadron, Barksdale Field, 
May 15, 1939.  As a private, Walker immediately began study, attending night 
classes at Barksdale Field, to complete his high school studies.  He later 
attended Centenary College and, when examinations for cadet appointments were 
held at Barksdale Field in May, 1940, he took the examination, passed with a 
high mark and received his appointment.

He left Barksdale on July 30, 1940, for Love Field, Texas, where he took 
primary training; received his basic training at Randolph Field; and completed 
his advanced training at Brooks Field, Texas, whre he received his silver 
wings and a lieutenant's commission, just 22  months after his enlistment.


Additional Comments:
Lt Col Joe Walker, USAF Retired, is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in 
Arlington, VA.  He was awarded the Silver Star, the Air Medal and the 
Distinguished Flying Cross during his years of service to his country.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/webster/bios/walker162gbs.txt

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