Our final Hometown Hero courtesy of Robert’s Heating and Cooling is James Walker!
James was nominated by Shanna Mittie. Her nominating letter is below:
James Walker is a 2nd generation American as his grandparents immigrated to the United States from Scotland on his dad’s side and Lithuanian on his mother’s side. He attended high school at Morgan Park Military Academy in Chicago, graduating in 1958 and attended the University of Illinois at Champaign receiving a BS and MS in Parks and Recreation in 1963 and 1964 respectively. He was commissioned as an Army 2nd Lieutenant on February 1, 1963, and entered Active-Duty July 1964.
In Vietnam as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1964-1965, he served as the Army’s Special Services Officer in charge of such programs as R&R to locations like Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Hawaii, and served as an escort officer for various USO tours. He was the Assistant Stage Director for the 1964 Christmas Day Bob Hope Show. During the early period of the Vietnam War, he also served as a Pall Bearer for ceremonies honoring Soldiers that had died. As the junior ranking officer in the country, along with more senior officers, he had Thanksgiving Dinner at the residence of General William Westmoreland who was the senior commander in Vietnam at the time. During his 2nd tour in Vietnam, (1969-1970), he served as the Admin/Personnel Officer for a 4500-man Signal Group. During his tour in Germany, (1970-1973), he was the Executive Officer to the Adjutant General in Heidelberg. While in PANAMA (1981-1984), he was the Adjutant General for the 193rd Infantry Brigade. He also served at Fort Riley, KS, the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and the Army’s Military Personnel Center in Alexandria, VA. During his last assignment, he was the Commander of the Army’s Printing and Publishing Command (1988-1992), that successfully converted Army paper regulations, forms, and manuals to an electronic library this is still in use today.
During his career he received a Special Citation from Vice President Hubert Humphrey for his contributions to various youth programs and received the Adjutant General’s Horatio Gates award. Upon being notified of his selection for this award, he asked why he was selected and was told it was easy, because he cared for Soldiers. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and National Defense Medal. He retired from the Army as a Full Cornel on August 31, 1992, served a year as the Human Resource Director for the City of Junction City, and as a Job Assistance Officer for 19 years at the Fort Riley Army Career and Alumni Center (ACAP), retiring in December 2011.
In June, 2023, Jim was inducted into the Adjutant General Corps Hall of Fame at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Jim has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America most of his life. He also contributes on a regular basis to the Museum in Salina, KS. He would be a great choice for a Hometown Hero. Always giving to good causes in the community!!!
For being this week’s Hometown Hero, James receives 4 tickets to an upcoming K-State football game, as well as a $100 maintenance gift card from Kia of Manhattan and a $50 gift card to RC McGraw’s.
His name is also entered in our grand prize drawing, a complete Furnace/AC replacement from Robert’s Heating and Cooling! We’ll draw that winner on Nov. 10!
Thank you to all who nominated a veteran over the last several weeks!
