Leo A. Walton

Leo Andrew Walton
Born October 7, 1890
Salem, Oregon
Died September 7, 1961(1961-09-07) (aged 70)
Orlando, Florida
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service 1915 - 1949
Rank Major general
Battles/wars Pancho Villa Expedition
World War I
World War II
Awards Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Army Commendation Medal

Major General Leo Andrew Walton (October 7, 1890 - September 7, 1961) was one of the original members of the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps of 1916 and a veteran of World War II.[1]

Early years

Leo Andrew Walton was born on October 7, 1890 in Salem, Oregon. He attended United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated in 1915 as a part of "the class the stars fell on" (because 59 members of this class became general officers). He was commissioned a Second lieutenant of Cavalry on June 12, 1915 and subsequently participated in the Pancho Villa Expedition in Mexico under general John J. Pershing.

When he came back from his assignment in 1916, he decided to study aviation. In August 1917, he graduated from Brooks Field, Texas and became the officer in charge of flying at Brooks Field in March 1918. Two years later on July 1, he was repositioned from the Field Artillery to Air Artillery.

Interwar years

In November 1920, he worked at the Field Officers' School in Langley Field, Virginia and a year later finished training for the Office duty in August at Washington, D. C.. In June 1923, he was assigned to the McCook Field, Ohio where he attended the Air Service Engineering School and a year later became assistant chief in there. In August 1925 he participated in the Philippines Campaign where he was a commanding officer at Kindley Field, Fort Mills. Later on he became a commander at Clark Field where he was in charge of the 3rd Pursuit Squadron till May 1928. The same year he came back home, and became an assistant commandant at March Field, California.[1]

In September 1937, Walton was enrolled into the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas after which he was stationed at Maxwell Field, Alabama in the Air Corps Tactical School. Three years later he was transferred into the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Stockton Army Airfield in Stockton, California.

Second World War

When World War II began, he was sent to the headquarters of the West Coast Training Center at Santa Ana, California where he served as chief of staff which position he held till 1945. He also held that position while working with 6th Air Force and the Caribbean Defense Command. He was stationed in China as an air inspector in July 1945 for which he was awarded the Bronze Star.

He was also awarded Legion of Merit award for his resourceful planning at the Western Flying Training Command. Walton retired from the Air Force on June 30, 1949 and died September 7, 1961.[1] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[2]

Decorations

Bronze star
Bronze star
USAF Command Pilot wings
1st Row Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal
2nd Row Army Commendation Medal Mexican Service Medal World War I Victory Medal American Defense Service Medal
3rd Row American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two service stars World War II Victory Medal Chinese Order of the Cloud and Banner 4th Class

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Major general Leo A. Walton". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2013-07-23. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  2. "Gen Leo Andrew Walton". Find a Grave. Retrieved 23 July 2013.

External links

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