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Merrit Cecil Walton was born at St. Paul, Minn., on 18 December 1915. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 19 May 1937 at San Francisco, Calif.,
and initially served at San Diego, Calif., before going to the Asiatic Station that autumn. As a member of the 4th Marine Regiment, quartered in the International Settlement of Shanghai,
China, Walton witnessed part of the bloody battle that raged for that key city between Chinese and Japanese forces and, as such, was an early observer of Japanese aggression in the Far
East. During his tour in China, he received promotion to private, 1st class, on 10 May 1939.
Returning to the United States in the autumn of 1940, Walton served successive tours of duty at the Marine barracks at Mare Island, Vallejo, Calif.; the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, N.J.;
Quantico, Va.; and New River, N.C. He was promoted to sergeant on 01 August 1941 and platoon sergeant on 08 April 1942. Platoon Sergeant Walton was serving in a parachute battalion as part
of the 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) that was selected to land in the Solomons in August 1942. Companies A and B of that battalion landed on the island of Gavutu on the morning of
07 August 1942. The enemy, already alterted by the landings on Guadalcanal and Tulagi, met the marines' frontal assault with a withering fire.
Although fully aware of the danger involved, Platoon Sergeant Walton volunteered to reconnoiter the position of a troublesome Japanese machine gun nest threatening his platoon's right
flank. Once he had spotted the weapon's location, he led a daring attack during which the leathernecks silenced the gun. Mortally wounded, however, Platoon Sergeant Walton died later that
same day. Posthumous awards accorded the sergeant included the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart, and a share of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the 1st Marine Division (Reinforced).
USS Walton (DE 361) (1944 - 1968) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
(Photo taken at Sutton, Nebr. during Sgt. Walton's last visit to his cousin Evelyn A. Goesch, Rod's Mom.) |
Rod Ulibarri
San Jose, Cal. |
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20 May 1944: Orange, Tex. - Walton being side-launched. |
Nick Tiberio
Shelton, Conn. |
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undated postwar image: USS Walton (DE 361) underway, circa later 1950s or early 1960s, probably entering or leaving port.
(U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 107607 from the Naval History and Heritage Command) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager |
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Undated Postwar Photo (1950's / 1960's) |
Nick Tiberio
Shelton, Conn. |
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Undated Postwar Photo (1950's / 1960's) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Manager, Navsource
DE / FF / LCS Archive
|
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24 - 26 February 1962: Saigon, Vietnam - Walton moored at Saigon after sailing up the Saigon River.
(Photo taken by Herb Mesler, RM1) |
Herb Mesler
RMC, USNR (ret.)
DE 361, 1961 to 1962 |
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circa 1962: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - An official U.S. Navy photo of Walton passing Hospital Point at Pearl Harbor. |
Ken W. Sayers
Lt., USNR |
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circa 1962: off the coast of Pearl Harbor - An official U.S. Navy photo of Walton at sea. This photo and the one prior were probably taken
during Walton's last deployment to the Pacific. |
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25 June 1965: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Walton (DE 361) stands off while arriving for a port visit to Vancouver.
(Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-8887 from the City of Vancouver Archives) |
Navsource |
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28 June 1965: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Walton (DE 361) stands off while departing a port visit to Vancouver.
(Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-8887.1 from the City of Vancouver Archives) |
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03 October 1965: Alameda, Cal. - Walton in drydock during an overhaul at Todd Shipyard. |
Ken W. Sayers
Lt., USNR |
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01 February 1966: Treasure Island, Cal. - Walton moored at Treasure Island Naval Station, pier 14N. |
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28 August 1966: Treasure Island, Cal. - Walton returning to Pier 14N after Cruise 8E-RC to San Diego. |
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December 1966: Treasure Island, Cal. - Walton breasting out from Pier 14N. |
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07 May 1967: San Francisco Bay - Walton serving as the flagship for San Franciscos annual Blessing of the Fleet event in Raccoon Strait. Note the
Mk 32 torpedo tubes near the stack, which had been installed only a week earlier. |
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07 May 1967: San Francisco Bay - Pleasure boats inspecting Walton while she served as the flagship for the Blessing of the Fleet festival in
Raccoon Strait. |
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