Colonel Walker graduated from
University of Tennessee in June
1959 and was commissioned as a
second lieutenant in the Infantry,
and then branch transferred into
the Transportation Corps in 1961.
Walker served three tours in
Vietnam as a combat helicopter
pilot. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary
heroism and gallantry. This master aviator commanded soldiers at every
level from platoon to brigade. He commanded a company at Hunter
Army Airfield. He commanded the 5th Transportation Battalion at Fort
Campbell. His brigade command occurred at Fort Bragg.
Following retirement from active duty, Walker, a lifelong hunter, opened
and operated the Quail Valley Hunt Club in Petersburg, Tennessee, for
over 25 years.
Walker passed away in 2013. His obituary stated, “‘Big Jim’ Walker lived
large, loved life, and loved people. He was an American original and truly
was one of a kind. He had thousands of friends and friendships that he
loved and cherished very much, but his proudest accomplishment was
his family.”
