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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly May '92
Walter Burnside, Jr. No. 15698
Class Of 1946 Died 18 October 1949 At Toledo, Ohio,
Aged, 23 Years. Interment: Arlington National Cemetery,
Arlington, Virginia. |
Walter Burnside, Jr., affectionately known as "Wally"
to friends and family, was born 26 October 1925 at Fort Brown,
Texas. Wally's father (USMA 1923) was a Cavalry officer, so Wally
spent his boyhood living at various Army posts. Being the son
of a cavalryman, Wally learned to ride early in life and became
an avid and excellent equestrian. His sister Mary recalled that
Wally won many silver cups for his equestrian prowess when they
lived in the Philippines before World War II. She also recalled
that Wally enjoyed making model airplanes and soldiers from molten
lead, a hint of his future interests. When his senior year in
high school rolled around, Wally's folks entered him in Allen
Academy, Bryan, Texas to prepare for West Point. He graduated
from Allen and received his appointment to join the Class of
1946 at West Point on I July 1943.
Life as a cadet was relatively easy for Wally. His background
had prepared him for what was to come, and his optimistic outlook
on life carried him easily over the rough times. Academics were
no problem, although German frustrated him completely. Slight
of build, Wally was on the gymnastics team and hoped to build
up his muscle tone. His first love - after Ruth Forman, with
whom he spent most of his free time - was flying, and he eagerly
signed up for flight training. Graduation saw Wally commissioned
as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.
The day after graduation, 5 June 1946, Wally and Ruth were
married in Garden City, New York. After graduation leave, the
newlyweds traveled to Arizona, where Wally took advanced fighter
training. At Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Wally flew
P-51's as a member of the 55th Fighter Squadron of the 20th Fighter
Wing. Next, Wally and Ruth moved to Hawaii, where he became a
flight leader, 93rd Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Wing. While
with this unit, Wally became the "slot man" for the
81st's aerobatics team, one of the forerunners of the "Thunderbirds."
Another classmate, the late Hobart Gay, was also a member of
this team of outstanding pilots.
The 81st Fighter Group was ordered to return to the States
in 1949, and, in August 1949, Wally was assigned to the Air Force
Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Ruth recalled that Wally was so pleased with this assignment
and feels certain that Wally would have become deeply involved
with the space program had he lived. On 18 October 1949, Wally
took off from Wright Patterson on a routine flight in a P-51
en route to Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan. The plane crashed
on the outskirts of Toledo, Ohio, and Wally was killed instantly.
He was survived by his wife Ruth, his mother and father, and
two sisters, Mary and Anne.
Walter Burnside, Jr. had the potential to do great things
in the Air Force and in the service of his country. That he was
unable to attain this potential is a tragic loss for his country,
the Air Force, his family and friends. Wally had an insatiable
appetite to learn something new each day of his life. That is
why he was so pleased with his selection to attend the Air Force
Institute of Technology. A classmate recalled: "Wally was
an eager and aggressive fighter pilot who worked hard and played
hard. He was serious about his profession. He was an outstanding
flyer and demonstrated a skill in a P-51 far beyond his limited
experience. Indeed, on occasion, his ability equaled that of
some combat veterans in the unit. Off-duty, Wally was friendly,
gregarious, uninhibited and sociable. He was a fine officer.
The country, the Air Force and his friends suffered a great loss
in his passing."
Wally grew up in a family where he heard "Duty, Honor,
Country" as a routine part of his life. His commitment to
these principles was reinforced as a cadet, but it wasn't until
he became an officer that he realized how important it was to
live those principles each day of his life. Ruth recalled that
is exactly what Wally did. He was totally committed to the principles
of the motto in everything he did and planned to do. While Wally
was taken from his family, friends and classmates early in his
life, this loving husband, outstanding officer and true son of
West Point will remain forever in the memories of those who knew
and loved him. "Well Done, Wally; Be Thou at Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife Ruth
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