Walker, Fred Livingood, born on 11-06–1887 in Fairfield County, Ohio as a son of William Henry Walker and his wife Belle (born 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, nickname “First of Vicksburg” . 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
who died old age 87, on 15-07-1948, in Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington D.C. With the United States entry into the World War I, Walker went overseas and served with the 30th Infantry Regiment
, motto “Our Country Not Ourselves “ 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. He was the commanding Officer of the 15th Infantry Regiment, nickname “The Old China Hands”
from 03-05-1939 until 08-12-1939. In September 1941, Walker was appointed Commanding General of the 36th Infantry Division, nickname “Arrowhead”
stationed in Brownwood, Texas. In this capacity, Walker replaced Major General Claude V. Birkhead
. Birkhead who died age 80, on 19-11–1950 in San Antonio, commanded the division during the Carolina Maneuvers in the summer of 1942. In April 1943, the 36th Division deployed from New York 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. Total casualties of the 36th Division during the European campaign, KIA: 3.131, WIA: 13.191 and died of wounds: 506. Unfortunately the Battle of Rapido River was total failure, which resulted in heavy casualties of the 36th Division. The United States Army suffered 318.274 killed and missing in all theatres of the war. After the war, Thirty-sixth veteran Division Association called for a Congressional investigation of this battle, due to the inefficiency and inexperience of General Mark Wayne “Contraband” Clark, Fifth U.S.Army, “Strength of the Nation!”
commander at that time. But no action was taken against General Clark. Its role in Italy cost Fifth Army dearly. It suffered 109.642 casualties in 602 days of combat. 19.475 were killed in action. The Fifth Army headquarters returned to the United States in September, 1945. On 02-10-1945 saw Fifth Army inactivated at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts. In July 1944.
Death and burial ground of Walker, Fred Livingood.
Major General Walker was transferred back to the United States and appointed as Commander of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served in this capacity until 30-04-1946, when he finally retired from the Army. Living in Washington D.C., Walker died at the age of 82 on 06-10-1969 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.,and is buried on Kirkersville Cemetery, Kickersville, Licking County, Ohio, Section 3.


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