Walton Walker

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Walton Walker bigraphy, stories - United States Army general

Walton Walker : biography

December 3, 1889 – December 23, 1950

Walton Harris Walker (December 3, 1889 – December 23, 1950) was an American army officer and the first commander of the U.S. Eighth Army during the Korean War.

Death

On December 23, 1950, Walker was killed in a traffic accident near Uijeongbu when his command jeep collided with a civilian truck at high speed as he inspected positions north of Seoul. His body was escorted back to the United States by his son, future general Sam S. Walker. Walker was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on January 2, 1951.

Awards and decorations

number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg|width=80}} Distinguished Service Cross with two oak leaf clusters
number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
number=3|type=oak|ribbon=Silver Star ribbon.svg|width=80}} Silver Star with three oak leaf clusters
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=80}} Legion of Merit
number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=80}} Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=80}} Bronze Star
number=14|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters

Korean War

Shortly after the North Korean invasion of South Korea, in June 1950, the Eighth Army was ordered to intervene and drive the invaders back across the 38th parallel, the border between the two countries. With only four lightly equipped and poorly trained divisions, Walker began landing troops on the southeast side of the Korean peninsula in July. After his lead units, elements of the 24th Infantry Division (including the ill-fated Task Force Smith), were virtually destroyed in a few days of furious fighting between Osan and Taejon, Walker realized his assigned mission was impossible and went on the defensive. Pushed steadily back towards the southeast by the North Korean advance, Walker’s forces suffered heavy losses and for a time were unable to form a defensible front, even after bringing the 1st Cavalry and 25th Infantry Divisions into the fight.

Walker’s situation was not helped by unrealistic demands from MacArthur in Tokyo not to retreat an inch. Attempting to obey, Walker gave a bombastic "not a step back" speech to his staff and subordinate commanders which did not go over well. Nor did it stop the North Koreans from pushing back the Americans and the Republic of Korea Army (ROK), which had been badly mauled in the opening days of the invasion, even further.

As American and ROK forces retreated further east and south, they finally arrived at a defensible line on the Nakdong River. They took advantage of shortened supply routes and a relatively good road network to exploit the advantages of "interior lines". Walker was able to quickly shift his units from point to point, stopping North Korean attacks before they could be reinforced. The Americans were greatly aided by decoded radio intercepts of enemy communications, giving them advance knowledge of where North Korean attacks would occur. Walker was also able to employ artillery and airpower to great effect.

American forces gradually solidified this defensive position on the southeast side of the Korean peninsula, dubbed the "Pusan Perimeter". Walker received reinforcements, including the Provisional Marine Brigade, which he used along with the Army’s 27th Infantry Regiment as "fire brigades," reliable troops who specialized in counterattacking and wiping out enemy penetrations.

As more reinforcements arrived, the combat advantage shifted toward the American and South Korean forces. North Korean forces had suffered terribly and their supply lines were under constant aerial bombardment. Almost all of their T-34 tanks, which spearheaded the invasion, had been destroyed. Walker ordered local counterattacks while planning for a large scale breakout in conjunction with MacArthur’s Inchon landing in September.