Alfred D. Walker, Jr. (1920-1995) flew in a B-29 formation power display over Tokyo heralding the arrival of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. On September 2, 1945, the Wilmingtonian piloted a B-29 from Tinian to Tokyo and over the Third fleet in Tokyo Bay while the surrender agreement was signed aboard the Battleship Missouri, ending World War II.
These assignments closed out a three-year career of piloting and instructing in B-17s, B-24s and B-29s. Walker had enlisted in September 1942 as an Army Air Corps cadet. In November 1944, Lt. Walker was assigned to the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater. During this tour of duty he was awarded the Air Medal with three clusters. He was also awarded three battle stars for participation in the CBI campaign and the air offensive against Japan. Many of his combat missions were accomplished while flying over the India-China “hump”.
Lt. Walker was reassigned to the Marianas in May of 1945, serving there until VJ Day. During his 10 months overseas, he piloted 32 combat missions over Japan, accumulated 540 combat hours and added the Distinguished Flying Cross to his medals.
After the war, he was a flight instructor at Seager’s Airport on Route 13 in Delaware. He and his wife Viola lived in Marshallton. They were married 53 years.
