KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Quitman Walker was born June 21, 1919 in Tillman, Mississippi and went to the public schools in Indianola, Miss. His last year of high school was spent at the Coahoma County Training School near Clarksdale. Walker continued his education at Alcorn A&M College, now Alcorn State University, and in 1941 received a bachelor’s degree in Science.
Walker left for California to find a job, but ended up enlisting in the U.S. Army on April 25, 1942. He graduated from flight training on January 14, 1943 at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. He was posted to North Africa with the 99th Fighter Squadron in April 1943. After additional flight training and a transfer to Selfridge Army Air Field in Michigan, Walker was sent overseas and was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group.
His 29th mission would prove to be his last when the 332nd Fighter Group was sent on a strafing mission in Hungary and Austria on Nov. 19, 1944. On the way back to base, Walker’s plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire near Lake Balaton, Hungary. His remains were found months later.
Walker was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and a Purple Heart for his military service.
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