James M. Walker (’59)

Category: Army ROTC Alumni Council Hall of Fame | Communities

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.”
James Walker