Black WWII Veteran Honored for His Service

Washington – In World War II, William Walker served in the Navy in the Philippines. It was the last war when black and white servicemen were separated according to their race, and black troops were not accorded the same level of respect as their white counterparts.

Last weekend Walker’s service was honored as he participated with other veterans who flew from Illinois to Washington on an Honor Flight to visit the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. Walker’s son Bill, flew along with his 94-year-old father and says his father spoke of some aspects of his WWII service he had never shared before.

His son says, for William Walker, meeting a fellow WWII Veteran, who apologized for the way black servicemen were treated during the war years — was one of the highlights of this trip.

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