page_title: John T. Walker (USMC)
section_title: World War II
hierarchical_section_title: John T. Walker (USMC) / World War II
caption_attribution_description: English: BGen Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., Commanding General, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade and his principal officers, from left, Col John T Walker, brigade chief of staff; LtCol Alan Shapley, commander, 4th Marines; and Col Merlin T Schneider, commander, 22d Marines, view a relief map of Guam for the brigade's operation.
context_page_description: John Thaddeus Walker was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps, who reached the rank of lieutenant general. He is most noted as commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Regiment during Battle of Eniwetok. He later served as director of personnel or commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
context_section_description: He left Quantico in May 1940 and subsequently was transferred to the Marine Corps Base San Diego as Chief of Planning Section under Major General William P. Upshur. Walker was transferred to Egypt in July 1941, where he served as a Naval observer in Cairo. Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he returned to the United States and reported for duty at San Diego with 2nd Marine Division as operations officer. Walker has been promoted to the rank of colonel on 1 January 1942 and after five months with 2nd Division, he was appointed commanding officer of the newly activated 22nd Marine Regiment at Camp Elliott, California.
  The 22nd Marines were sent to the Pacific theater and subsequently arrived to Samoa at the end of June. Colonel Walker subsequently commanded the regiment, which was designated as independent unit during the island defense and also conducted the intensive jungle training. Walker did not see combat until February 1944, when his unit participated in the Battle of Eniwetok. He landed on Engebi Island on 18 February following the Naval bombardment. Walker placed his command post on the beach and participated in the hand-to-hand fighting, when almost one thousand of Japanese soldiers were killed with only 85 dead and missing plus 166 wounded US soldiers. On 22 February, Walker and his 22nd Marines invaded the Parry Island and continued to fight the enemy for next 10 hours.
  After the Island Headquarters of Japanese Army was conquered, Walker radioed to the Commander of Amphibious Group Two, Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill: "I present you with the island of Parry". Walker was subsequently decorated with the military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat, Navy Cross. He also received the Navy Unit Commendation.
  When the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. was reactivated at the beginning of April 1944, Walker had been appointed its chief of staff. Walker participated with his new command in the Recapture of Guam at the end of July 1944 and was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and second Navy Unit Commendation.
  The 1st Provisional Brigade was disbanded in September 1944 and its units were used to form 6th Marine Division with Shepherd in command and Walker as chief of staff. Walker remained in this capacity until 16 November, when he was relieved by Colonel John C. McQueen and returned to the United States.
  Upon his return, Walker was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in December 1944 and appointed assistant director of personnel at Headquarters Marine Corps. He held that position until May 1945, when he was appointed assistant division commander of 2nd Marine Division under Major General LeRoy P. Hunt. Walker subsequently participated in the Occupation duties in Japan and was later decorated with the Bronze Star for his service in this capacity.
caption: Lemuel C. Shepherd (left) speaks with members of his staff during a planning meeting prior to the Guam operation. Next to him is 1st Brigade Chief of Staff John T. Walker, Alan Shapley (4th Marines) and Merlin F. Schneider (22nd Marines)
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