Lewis William Walt

Lewis William Walt (February 16, 1913 – March 26, 1989) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Walt was decorated several times, including two Navy Crosses for extraordinary heroism during World War II, one for leading the attack on "Aogiri Ridge" during the Battle of Cape Gloucester (New Britain); the ridge was renamed "Walt's Ridge" in his honor.

Lewis William Walt was born on February 16, 1913, in Wabaunsee County, Kansas.

He graduated from high school in Fort Collins, Colorado.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at Colorado State University in 1936.

Highlights of his student activities include: honor graduate, president of student body and student council, captain of football team and wrestling team, cadet colonel of the ROTC, president of chemistry club and captain of Scabbard and Blade.

Walt enlisted in the Colorado National Guard at the age of 17.

Upon graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Field Artillery Reserve, but resigned that commission to accept an appointment as a Marine second lieutenant on July 6, 1936.

Lieutenant Walt completed The Basic School at Philadelphia, and in April 1937 was assigned to the 6th Marine Regiment in San Diego, California, as a machine gun platoon leader.

Embarking for China in August 1937, he took part in the defense of the International Settlement of Shanghai until February 1938, at which time he returned to San Diego.

In June 1939, he began his second tour of overseas duty when he was assigned to the Marine Barracks, Guam, Mariana Islands.

He was promoted to first lieutenant in October 1939.

Returning to the United States in June 1941, shortly before his country's entry into World War II, he was assigned as a company commander in the Officer Candidates' Class, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia.

He was promoted to captain in December 1941.

His first marriage to Nancy Mary Sheehan, an army nurse he met in World War II, ended in divorce.

He was survived by his second wife, June Burkett Jacobsen Walt, and two sons and a daughter by his first marriage, Lewis W. Walt Jr., Lawrence C. Walt and Mary K. Martin.

Early in 1942, Walt volunteered to join the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, and in April 1942 arrived with the battalion on Samoa.

On August 7, 1942, as commander of Company A, 1st Raider Battalion, he landed his company in the assault on Tulagi Island in the British Solomon Islands.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry during this landing.

Following this action, he joined the 5th Marines on Guadalcanal, where he took part in combat as commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines.

He was promoted to major in September 1942.

In October 1942, as battalion commander, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Walt was wounded in action but continued in combat.

On December 22, 1942, he was spot promoted to lieutenant colonel for distinguished leadership and gallantry in action during the Guadalcanal campaign.

In December 1943, following hospitalization and training in Australia, Walt led the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, in the assault at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, and shortly thereafter was assigned as Regimental Executive Officer.

In the middle of this campaign he was ordered to take over command of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, during the intense battle for Aogiri Ridge.

During this action, he earned his first Navy Cross and Aogiri Ridge was named "Walt Ridge" in his honor by General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., 1st Marine Division assistant commander.

Departing Cape Gloucester in late February 1944, Walt was ordered to the Naval Hospital, Oakland, California, for treatment of wounds and malaria.

In June 1944, he returned to the Pacific theater.

That September, he landed with the Marine force on Peleliu as Regimental Executive Officer, 5th Marines.

On the first day of the battle, he was again ordered to take command of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines after the battalion's commanding officer and executive officer became casualties.

After nightfall on the first day of the battle, three of the battalion's companies had failed to make contact with the command post and their exact whereabouts were unknown.

At great risk to himself, Walt ventured out into enemy-infested territory in the dark of night, accompanied by one Marine, and proceeded to locate the missing companies and direct them to their correct position along the divisional line.

For these actions, Lieutenant Colonel Walt was awarded his second Navy Cross for gallantry in action.

In November 1944, Walt returned to the United States, and the following month assumed duty at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, as Chief of the Marine Officer Candidates' School Tactics Section.

Assigned to Camp Pendleton in January 1947, he served as assistant chief of staff, G-3, 3rd Marine Brigade, and then as G-3, 1st Marine Division.

In November 1947, he assumed duty as operations and training officer, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade on Guam, and later served as Chief of Staff of that organization from February to April 1949.

Returning to Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, in May 1949, he saw duty as a battalion commander with the Special Training Regiment; and in September, he entered the Amphibious Warfare School, Senior Course.

On completing the course in June 1950, he remained at Marine Corps Schools to serve as chief of Tactics Section, S-3, and finally, executive officer, The Basic School.

He was promoted to colonel in November 1951.

Colonel Walt was ordered to South Korea in November 1952.