HELMET BELONGING TO SILVER STAR AWARDED XO(EXECUTIVE OFFICER) UDT-13 DURING WWII "FORT PIERCE MAN"

[6th.MG.BN]

I thought I would share a helmet I have owned for a while. It belonged to the XO(Executive officer) of UDT13(Underwater Demolition Team) Lt. Donald-M-Walker. I wanted to share it as today is the one year anniversary of his passing https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/19750615/Donald-M-Walker/Plymouth/Massachusetts/Cartmell-Davis-Funeral-Home.

Lt. Walker was one of the first "Fort Pierce Men" to graduate from UDT training/school. http://www.navyfrogmen.com/team13.html He participated in the landings on Saipan, Guam and Peleliu as a UDT man. He also participated in the landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa as the XO of UDT-13. He was awarded the Silver Star for actions on Iwo Jima. https://www.treasurecoastgenealogicalsociety.org/Navy_Seal_PDFs/Vol_4/V4N40.pdf UDT-13 were the first "fins" on the ground on Iwo. http://www.viewoftherockies.com/UDT13.html .

 The helmet is a FS/FB with the chinstrap named to "Walker. D M". The liner has his name on the front and back and is salty.

I got the helmet with a book Movies on the Fantail, A sailor's Diary and memories from other men of the USS Barr DE576/APD39" by Helen E. Grenga. The USS Barr was the ship that UDT-13 was assigned to during Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Lt. Walker signed the book and gave it to his neighbor at the time. Also in the book was a letter describing his service in the US Navy.

Ken

[BEAT_NAVY]

Incredible. How did you happen to come across it?

[6th.MG.BN]

I purchased it from a forum  member years ago.

Ken

[Paddyd00]

Great lid and man. Just my style. A real GI Joe this guy. His job couldn’t have been easy 

Z

[Walker25]

Hi Ken — stumbled upon this post amidst reminiscing about our grandfather, Donald M Walker. Would you be open to connecting? I would love to discuss getting this back in the family. Thank you in advance.
 

All the best.