Memorial
For memorial day, I thought it would be appropriate to post some biographical information written by my dad. My deepest gratitude to all who have served our country.
Walsh, William J., Lt. Col, USAF
AF-CAP Liaison Officer – Illinois Wing
Born 12 October 1912, Frackville, Pennsylvania. Attended public schools there and graduated from Frackville High School in 1930.
Died 25 March 1990 – Buried at Arlington National Cemetery (info added by Son, Francis)
Early interest in aviation continued and became an active licensed pilot long before World War II. After beginning of hostilities, became a Civil Service pilot, assigned to Training Command. Graduated from the Central Instructors School, Mather AFB, and was assigned to Luke Field Advanced Flying School, Arizona, Was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant 19 May 1943 at Luke field, and given aeronautical rating as a Service Pilot. Continued as an Advanced Flying Instructor until October 1942.
Went to the European Theatre of Operations and assigned to the 326th Ferrying Squadron. About D-Day went into C-47’s with the 302nd Air Transport Wing and continued under this Wing until end of hostilities in Europe. Was assigned as Provost Marshal, Bremen Air Base, Germany in the Army of Occupation.
Returned to Continental United States – 1946 assigned to TAC, with Provost Marshal’s Office, Became Field Supervisor, CID, under TAC and remained in that position at Greenville AFB, South Carolina until the Office Of Special Investigations was formed; then assigned as one of the original officers in that organization, with 6th District OSI, at Warner Robins AFB, Georgia.
December 1951 was selected for assignment to Tehran, Iran with MAAG, and was reassigned later to the United States Military Mission to Iran as Air Transport Advisor, and served in Iran until July 1954. Received the Iranian Legion of Merit Decoration for this tour.
Subsequent assignments were all under Military Air Transport Services at Charleston, South Carolina, where final assignment was Operations Officer, 22nd ATS. Air Rescue Service, Assistant Operations Officer, alternating between Puerto Rico and Buenos Aires, Argentina supporting USAF U-2 Operation. While on this assignment flew the Air Rescue escort airplane for Vice President Nixon’s South American Tour.
Last assignment before AF-CAP was at McChord AFB, Washington. Was acting Commnander of the 33rd ATSqdn at the time of inactivation, June 1960.
Flying experience from OX-5 through World War II – fighter aircraft transports including C-118’s. 7300 military flying hours, plus civilian light plane time.
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