Fred L . Walker Fred Livingood Walker ( June 11 , 1887 – October 6 , 1969 ) was a highly decorated American military officer with the rank of Major General , who served in two World Wars and was awarded with second highest military decorations in both wars , Distinguished Service Cross . During the World War II , Walker commanded the 36th Infantry Division in Italian Campaign . Early life . Fred Livingood Walker was born on June 11 , 1887 in Fairfield County , Ohio as a son of William Henry Walker and his wife Belle ( néé Mason ) . Young Fred attended the Ohio State University and graduated in 1911 with a diploma from engineering . Subsequently he was accepted to the Army and commissioned with the rank of Second lieutenant of Infantry . He served briefly with an Infantry unit in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio , Texas and then he was transferred to the Philippines , where he served with the 13th Infantry Regiment . In 1914 , he was transferred back to the United States , where he was stationed in Eagle Pass , Texas and also took a part in Pancho Villa Expedition under the command of general John J . Pershing . With the United States entry into the World War I , Walker went overseas and served with the 30th Infantry Regiment in France . Major Walker commanded the battalion of his regiment during the Second Battle of the Marne in the summer of 1918 and distinguished himself during the heavy combats . In July 1918 , Walker received Distinguished Service Cross for his service during the battle . In addition , he also received a Silver Star and was wounded twice . Distinguished Service Cross Citation . For his actions , Fred L . Walker was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross . The official U . S . Army citation for Walker ' s Distinguished Service Cross reads : World War II . In September 1941 , Walker was appointed a commanding general of the 36th Infantry Division stationed in Brownwood , Texas . In this capacity , Walker replaced major general Claude V . Birkhead . Walker subsequently commanded the division during the Carolina Maneuvers in the summer of 1942 . In April 1943 , 36th Division received orders for departure to North Africa . Walker commanded the division in training operations near Rabat and Arzew . Division saw first combat in September 1943 , when it made a successful landing at Salerno . Walker commanded the division during the whole Italian Campaign , participated in the battles at Rapido River , Monte Cassino , and Mount Artemisio on the drive north through Rome and beyond . Major general Walker was awarded with his second Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership of 36th Infantry Division in September 1944 . Unfortunately the Battle of Rapido River was total failure , which resulted in heavy casualties of the 36th Division . After the war , Thirty - sixth veteran Division Association called for congressional investigation of this battle , due to the inefficiency and inexperience of General Mark W . Clark , Fifth U . S . Army commander at that time . But no action was taken against general Clark . In July 1944 , major general Walker was transferred back to the United States and appointed a Commander of the Infantry School at Fort Benning , Georgia . He served in this capacity until April 30 , 1946 , when he finally retired from the Army .