Wesley Carlton Walker (1919-2005)

(November 18, 1919-May 21, 2005)
T-136694 Dates of service: September 10, 1943 – October 29, 1945.

Wesley C. Walker was born to the late John W. and Mary A. Walker in West Philadelphia on November 18, 1919. Walker lived in West Philadelphia with the Montara Family, presumably with his aunt Bessie Montara.

He attended Overbrook High School and Temple University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Walker entered the service in Philadelphia in September 1943 and was discharged at the Mitchell Airfield in New York. While enlisted, he served as a Bombardier pilot with the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Additionally, he worked as a musician at Camp Lakeland in Hopewell Junction and played the piano and organ.

Walker’s family posthumously received his 2007 Congressional Gold Medal, which was awarded to honor his service.

Walker was involved in a car accident on August 4, 1949, but fortunately was unharmed. By 1950, both parents had died. He remained along with his cousin Frederick Montara in West Philadelphia. Sometime after 1950, he married Vera, and they were blessed with a daughter, Patricia Walker-Ellison. Later, he had two grandchildren.

Wesley C. Walker passed in 2005 in Yeadon, PA, in Delaware County. The Philadelphia Daily News reported his obituary on May 26, 2005.