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Walker Joseph Richard Jr.

Name:
Joseph Richard Jr. Walker
Rank:
First Lieutenant
Serial Number:
Unit:
578th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1949-08-26
State:
Pennsylvania
Cemetery:
Mount Royal Cemetery Glenshaw, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania,
Plot:
Northland Section 24
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Comments:

Joseph Walker was bon on May 1, 1922 and was from Munhall, PA.
Walker was the Pilot in B-24 (42-95241) also known as the “Jolly Duck” of the 578th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, 8th US Air Force. On February 22, 1945, the “Jolly Duck” was on a bombing mission over Germany. After completing mission on the return flight, the plane lost two engines. The pilots were able to make a controlled crash landing in Zoeterwoude, Holland; all of the nine-man crew survived. The plane commander, Pilot Walker directed the crew split up in order to evade capture. Some were captured; others were able to evade and return to duty with the assistance of Dutch Resistance.

Walker evaded capture.
McCormick was assisted by the Dutch Resistance to a nearby hunting lodge "Het Jachthuis" on the banks of the River Rotte. There he decided to stay and fight with the Dutch Resistance, which he did for the next two months. On April 29, 1945, the enemy attacked “Het Jachthuis” killing McCormick. SSG McCormick is buried in nearby; see site Zoetermeer - Old Church. He is buried along side three of the Dutch resistance fighters.
The Crew of the B-24 included:
1/Lt Joseph R. Walker, pilot, evaded capture; 2/Lt Ralph C. Casstevens, copilot, Evaded Capture; 1/Lt John J. Donohue, bombardier-navigator, Evaded Capture; S/Sgt Harold A. Shea, nose gunner, POW; Sgt Francis J. Nagle, radio operator, POW S/Sgt Allan W. Hicks, engineer, POW; S/Sgt John E. McCormick, waist gunner, KIA; S/Sgt John A.H. Lingle, waist gunner, POW; S/Sgt Elmer E. Duerr, tail gunner, Evaded Capture;
From Find a Grave:
Joseph and Irene got married in 1942 in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. Joseph was in the United States Air Force during WWII. Joseph died in an air crash. His father Joseph "Speed' Walker was a Professional baseball player in 1923. Played first base for the St. Louis Cardinals.