HERO. Walt is the son of a prominent attorney from Williamston, Mi. He graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Physical Therapy. He accepted a job in Ann Arbor MI. but for reasons known only to him he moved to Denver Co. In Denver, he made the fateful decision to join the U.S. Navy. He trained as a pilot/Navigator and was assigned to the U.S.S. Coral Sea. On Nov. 19 1967 he was the navigator on one of the two planes that was shot down over North Vietnam. He was captured alive and as proof "Hanoi Hannah" broadcast his capture over Hanoi radio. They had his photo I.D. as proof.
While inside the famous "Heartbreak Hotl" also known as the Hanoi Hilton, it became known that Walt was tortured by a cuban-born but Russian trained sadistic torturer known as "the bug." Walt did not survive his ordeal so when the war ended in 1975 he was not one of those men who came home alive. After 10 years had gone by, his body was sent home. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Not a day goes by that I do not think of him but I look forward to the day when I will see him in heaven. He is the love of my life.
Note: While being tortured with another P.O.W. Walt advised the man to keep repeating the 23rd Psalm which he had memorized. After enduring 3 days of unspeakable acts to his body, Walt was taken home by the Angels.
Cause of Death: Drowning while being tortured during captivity at the "Hanoi Hilton" the Hoa Lo Prison in North Vietnam.
Note: Walt's body was returned to the U.S. on September 30 1977.
While inside the famous "Heartbreak Hotl" also known as the Hanoi Hilton, it became known that Walt was tortured by a cuban-born but Russian trained sadistic torturer known as "the bug." Walt did not survive his ordeal so when the war ended in 1975 he was not one of those men who came home alive. After 10 years had gone by, his body was sent home. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Not a day goes by that I do not think of him but I look forward to the day when I will see him in heaven. He is the love of my life.
Note: While being tortured with another P.O.W. Walt advised the man to keep repeating the 23rd Psalm which he had memorized. After enduring 3 days of unspeakable acts to his body, Walt was taken home by the Angels.
Cause of Death: Drowning while being tortured during captivity at the "Hanoi Hilton" the Hoa Lo Prison in North Vietnam.
Note: Walt's body was returned to the U.S. on September 30 1977.
HERO. Walt is the son of a prominent attorney from Williamston, Mi. He graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Physical Therapy. He accepted a job in Ann Arbor MI. but for reasons known only to him he moved to Denver Co. In Denver, he made the fateful decision to join the U.S. Navy. He trained as a pilot/Navigator and was assigned to the U.S.S. Coral Sea. On Nov. 19 1967 he was the navigator on one of the two planes that was shot down over North Vietnam. He was captured alive and as proof "Hanoi Hannah" broadcast his capture over Hanoi radio. They had his photo I.D. as proof.
While inside the famous "Heartbreak Hotl" also known as the Hanoi Hilton, it became known that Walt was tortured by a cuban-born but Russian trained sadistic torturer known as "the bug." Walt did not survive his ordeal so when the war ended in 1975 he was not one of those men who came home alive. After 10 years had gone by, his body was sent home. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Not a day goes by that I do not think of him but I look forward to the day when I will see him in heaven. He is the love of my life.
Note: While being tortured with another P.O.W. Walt advised the man to keep repeating the 23rd Psalm which he had memorized. After enduring 3 days of unspeakable acts to his body, Walt was taken home by the Angels.
Cause of Death: Drowning while being tortured during captivity at the "Hanoi Hilton" the Hoa Lo Prison in North Vietnam.
Note: Walt's body was returned to the U.S. on September 30 1977.
While inside the famous "Heartbreak Hotl" also known as the Hanoi Hilton, it became known that Walt was tortured by a cuban-born but Russian trained sadistic torturer known as "the bug." Walt did not survive his ordeal so when the war ended in 1975 he was not one of those men who came home alive. After 10 years had gone by, his body was sent home. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Not a day goes by that I do not think of him but I look forward to the day when I will see him in heaven. He is the love of my life.
Note: While being tortured with another P.O.W. Walt advised the man to keep repeating the 23rd Psalm which he had memorized. After enduring 3 days of unspeakable acts to his body, Walt was taken home by the Angels.
Cause of Death: Drowning while being tortured during captivity at the "Hanoi Hilton" the Hoa Lo Prison in North Vietnam.
Note: Walt's body was returned to the U.S. on September 30 1977.
Gravesite Details
Killed while held in Captivity at the Hoa Lo Prison (Heartbreak Hotel.)
