tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Share #1 Posted May 17, 2013 Here is the story of Ltjg Donald Ray Walker, he flew the Vought OS2U Kingfisher; a spotting plane among other things off the USS West Virginia. They were reconnoitering Okinawa for a firing assignment and Ltjg Walker and his Observer Melvin Ladson took hits destroying their Kingfisher causing them to bail out and parachute into enemy territory. Both men were reported missing as the newspaper states. RIP Ltjg Walker and AVO3 Ladson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted May 17, 2013 On 16 June, she was firing an assignment for the 1st MarDiv off southwestern Okinawa when her spotting plane, a Vought OS2U Kingfisher, took hits from Japanese antiaircraft fire and headed down in flames, her pilot and observer bailing out over enemy-held territory. Within a short time, aided by Putnam and an LCI, West Virginia closed and blasted enemy guns in an attempt to rescue her plane crew who had "dug in for the day" to await the arrival of the rescuers. The attempt to recover her aircrew, however, was not successful. On June 16 Marines were pushing Japanese to the Southern lip of the Island. I was called to replace LT Donald Walker for close support while Walker took my place further inland. As we went by each other we waved and a minute later Walkers plane was hit by AA fire. I saw Walker and his radioman Ladson bail out. I called in his coordinates but both men disappeared. Our fighters appeared in no time but found only 3 Japanese who were gathering up Walkers chute. All rescue efforts failed. Three days later the Marines reached the area and sadly found Walker dead in a cave. There was no mention of radioman Ladson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted May 17, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted May 17, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted May 17, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted May 17, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted May 17, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted May 17, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted May 17, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted May 17, 2013 Share #10 Posted May 17, 2013 Very Nice Robert! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted May 17, 2013 Share #11 Posted May 17, 2013 Really nice grouping Robert with some good information with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted May 17, 2013 Really nice grouping Robert with some good information with it. I owe machinko (Nick) with locating the information about them finding Walker and his being on the West Virginia.Thanks,Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1collector Posted May 17, 2013 Share #13 Posted May 17, 2013 Great group! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted May 17, 2013 Share #14 Posted May 17, 2013 That poor guy had to have died one hell of a death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted May 17, 2013 Share #15 Posted May 17, 2013 Fantastic set! Thanks for sharing and for remembering his service and sacrifice! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted May 17, 2013 Share #16 Posted May 17, 2013 I was fortunate enough to see this group at the Pomona Show, it is a great group to a brave pilot. It is the first to a Kingfisher pilot I have seen. Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted May 17, 2013 Share #17 Posted May 17, 2013 Great group, Robert. Noticed that had he lived he would have been 91 yesterday. Best.......Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted May 17, 2013 Share #18 Posted May 17, 2013 Very nice find Robert! I'm happy you were able to get more information about the pilot. I'm going to have to show up on Thursday from now on!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted May 17, 2013 Share #19 Posted May 17, 2013 Great find! I have seen many pilot's groups but never a Kingfisher's pilot, again really Great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted May 18, 2013 Share #20 Posted May 18, 2013 Great grouping to a brave man.So sad that they never recovered his radioman, AVO3 Ladson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach Posted May 18, 2013 Share #21 Posted May 18, 2013 That poor guy had to have died one hell of a death. I was thinking that myself when I found the information, I coudn't help reminding myself of the death of Ralph Ignatowski In Flags of our Fathers... Very emotive grouping to a very brave pilot. Nice to see a photo of Lt jg Donald Walker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h2oman Posted May 18, 2013 Share #22 Posted May 18, 2013 Very nice group!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted May 19, 2013 Share #23 Posted May 19, 2013 Robert, A brave aviator who flew in to harms way in an aircraft that was basically defenseless to provide support to the Marines moving forward in the last battle of WW2. RIP Lt jg Walker & AVO3 Ladson. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted May 19, 2013 Share #24 Posted May 19, 2013 An amazing group for sure! Wow! -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share #25 Posted May 19, 2013 SgtPete found this copy of the USS West Virginia's War Diary detailing Walker and Ladsons last mission... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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