St. Clair Walker's medals and badges
St. Clair Walker was born in 1922, Jefferson County, Kentucky (parents; Mrs. Billie Walker). Walker entered the service on March 8, 1942, and was commissioned at the Fort Benning, Ga., Officers Training school. He had also attended Millersburg Military Institute and Centre College. St. Clair Walker was married to Mrs. Ellen McConnell Walker.
2nd Lt. Walker (Left)
Lt. Walker became a platoon leader in Company G, 175th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division. It is likely that 2nd Lt. Walker served in the Normandy Campaign and Northern France Campaign before being killed in the Rhineland Campaign (Germany, near Bourheim).
Lt. Walker, age 23, was Killed in Action on January 1, 1945, while leading a patrol in Germany. His parents Mrs. Billie Walker of 370 Aylesford place (Lexington), and Dr. Allen Walker of Danville, and by his wife Mrs. Ellen McConnell Walker (Anchorage) all received a War Department message.
This letter was sent to Lt. Walker’s wife (dated January 20, 1945).
Office of the Chaplain
175th Infantry Regiment
A.P.O. 29 U.S. Army
Jan 20, 1945
Mrs. Ellen McConnell Walker
Anchorage, Kentucky
Dear Mrs Walker,
It is with the deepest regret that I write to offer my sympathy in the death of your husband, 2D Lt St Clair Walker, 01324745.
He was killed in action 1 January 1945 in Germany, and was buried with a protestant burial service in Holland. The places of burial are being made into permanent Memorial cemeteries by our Government, and are made as beautiful as possible.
The heroism displayed by the American soldier in these days continues to amaze the world and surely holds the great promise of a great future for our country. Your husband’s sacrefice is helping to build a better world for us all. I share your pride in him.
I know that my words are inadequate to lesson your sorrow at this time but our Heavenly Father can give you the comfort and consolidation to bear this burden. May His presence give you strenght and His grace lift you up.
Most sincerely,
John F McKenna,
Chaplain
This is a second letter (also) from Army Chaplain John F. Mckenna (dated July 31, 1945) explaining what happened to her husband, Lt. Walker.
Headquaters Second Battalion
175th Infantry Regiment
A.P.O. 29 US Army
31 July 1945
Mrs. Ellen M. Walker
Anchorage, Kentucky
Dear Mrs. Walker:
I well know the heartbreak and sorrow that must have accompanied the War Department announcement that your husband 2D Lt. St. Clair Walker, 01324745 had been killed in action 1 january 1945. I want to extend to you my sincere symphaty in your great loss. I have talked with members of your husband former company in order to obtain the information you have requested.
Lt. Walker was a platoon leader in Company G, 175th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division. On the morning of 1 January 1945 Company G was in a defensive holding position on the west bank of the Roer River 1(1/2) mile East of Bourheim, Germany. Your husband was chosen to lead a night reconnaissance patrol to ascertain the enemy’s position and strength. In the course of their mission the patrol was fired upon and your husband was instantly killed.
After religious services your husband was buried in the United States Military Cemetery at Margraten, Holland in Grave 195, Row 8, Plot M.
Mrs. Walker, I trust that this information answers the questions in your mind and I pray that Almighty God will help you bear your great loss.
Sincerely,
John F. McKenna,
Chaplain, USA (Captain)
2nd Lt. St. Clair Walker’s final resting place is, together with 8,301 brothers in arms, the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, Plot F, Row 11, Grave 11.
2nd Lt. St. Clair Walker
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