As far back as I can remember "Uncle Wally" has been a huge influence in my life. Having joined the military in 1943, United States Army Air Corps, he flew C46 Curtis Commando's, gliders, P40 Warhawks, North American P-51 Mustangs (instructor)but mustered out in 1946 having seen no combat as the war ended. Wally and June moved to Miami Springs, Fla. in 1951.
Wally and June (wife) had their first child, Alice, during the time he (Wally) was going to undergraduate school and Law School at the University of Miami. 1951 brought new tension as the United States was involved with the Korean's and Uncle Wally was recalled. He flew jet fighters with over 100 missions in F-101 Voodoo's, F-86's and F-84's returning home in 1952. My Uncle did not escape his combat mission's unscathed as took enemy fire on numerous occasions having to bail out in friendly territory, for this he earned his Purple Heart. Upon return from Korea he was assigned as a Test Pilot, jet fighters, to the Air Proving Ground where he ran U.S.A.F. suitability tests. In 1955 Wally graduated from Law School with the birth of their second daughter, Kathryn Ann, just six years later. Wally left the law firm of Mershon, Sawyer & Johnson in 1966 to start his own firm with long time friend and ex-NAVY pilot Ed Walton.
The time period reflecting 1961-62 found Wally being recalled (involuntarily) to participate in the Vietnam conflict. He was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base and saw Vietnam for only one month. In early 1971 after a couple of separation's Wally and June called it quits. This was not to be end of Wally's marital life as five years later he met and married Nancy Brookshire; however, Wally, June and Nancy would remain close friends.
Prior to the divorce (1968) Wally was transferred out of the Air Force Reserve to the Military Airlift Command (MAC)where he flew C-124 Globemasters. My Uncle was to fly many other aircraft but finally after 30 yrs he retired as a Lt. Col. with a very nice retirement.
There are many airplanes, helicopters, sea planes, gliders, and warbirds that Uncle Wally flew in the general aviation world but the one I remember most was the P-51 Mustang that I had the pleasure of riding in on many occasions. I remember my uncle complaining about avgas being $2.00 per gallon, I wish he could see it now.
My Uncle gently passed away in Tennessee in 1997 after a bout with Wiggener's Disease at the age of 72. Friends of his once asked the question....was he a pilot or an attorney ? He was both, but his passion was aviation.
Wally and June (wife) had their first child, Alice, during the time he (Wally) was going to undergraduate school and Law School at the University of Miami. 1951 brought new tension as the United States was involved with the Korean's and Uncle Wally was recalled. He flew jet fighters with over 100 missions in F-101 Voodoo's, F-86's and F-84's returning home in 1952. My Uncle did not escape his combat mission's unscathed as took enemy fire on numerous occasions having to bail out in friendly territory, for this he earned his Purple Heart. Upon return from Korea he was assigned as a Test Pilot, jet fighters, to the Air Proving Ground where he ran U.S.A.F. suitability tests. In 1955 Wally graduated from Law School with the birth of their second daughter, Kathryn Ann, just six years later. Wally left the law firm of Mershon, Sawyer & Johnson in 1966 to start his own firm with long time friend and ex-NAVY pilot Ed Walton.
The time period reflecting 1961-62 found Wally being recalled (involuntarily) to participate in the Vietnam conflict. He was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base and saw Vietnam for only one month. In early 1971 after a couple of separation's Wally and June called it quits. This was not to be end of Wally's marital life as five years later he met and married Nancy Brookshire; however, Wally, June and Nancy would remain close friends.
Prior to the divorce (1968) Wally was transferred out of the Air Force Reserve to the Military Airlift Command (MAC)where he flew C-124 Globemasters. My Uncle was to fly many other aircraft but finally after 30 yrs he retired as a Lt. Col. with a very nice retirement.
There are many airplanes, helicopters, sea planes, gliders, and warbirds that Uncle Wally flew in the general aviation world but the one I remember most was the P-51 Mustang that I had the pleasure of riding in on many occasions. I remember my uncle complaining about avgas being $2.00 per gallon, I wish he could see it now.
My Uncle gently passed away in Tennessee in 1997 after a bout with Wiggener's Disease at the age of 72. Friends of his once asked the question....was he a pilot or an attorney ? He was both, but his passion was aviation.
As far back as I can remember "Uncle Wally" has been a huge influence in my life. Having joined the military in 1943, United States Army Air Corps, he flew C46 Curtis Commando's, gliders, P40 Warhawks, North American P-51 Mustangs (instructor)but mustered out in 1946 having seen no combat as the war ended. Wally and June moved to Miami Springs, Fla. in 1951.
Wally and June (wife) had their first child, Alice, during the time he (Wally) was going to undergraduate school and Law School at the University of Miami. 1951 brought new tension as the United States was involved with the Korean's and Uncle Wally was recalled. He flew jet fighters with over 100 missions in F-101 Voodoo's, F-86's and F-84's returning home in 1952. My Uncle did not escape his combat mission's unscathed as took enemy fire on numerous occasions having to bail out in friendly territory, for this he earned his Purple Heart. Upon return from Korea he was assigned as a Test Pilot, jet fighters, to the Air Proving Ground where he ran U.S.A.F. suitability tests. In 1955 Wally graduated from Law School with the birth of their second daughter, Kathryn Ann, just six years later. Wally left the law firm of Mershon, Sawyer & Johnson in 1966 to start his own firm with long time friend and ex-NAVY pilot Ed Walton.
The time period reflecting 1961-62 found Wally being recalled (involuntarily) to participate in the Vietnam conflict. He was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base and saw Vietnam for only one month. In early 1971 after a couple of separation's Wally and June called it quits. This was not to be end of Wally's marital life as five years later he met and married Nancy Brookshire; however, Wally, June and Nancy would remain close friends.
Prior to the divorce (1968) Wally was transferred out of the Air Force Reserve to the Military Airlift Command (MAC)where he flew C-124 Globemasters. My Uncle was to fly many other aircraft but finally after 30 yrs he retired as a Lt. Col. with a very nice retirement.
There are many airplanes, helicopters, sea planes, gliders, and warbirds that Uncle Wally flew in the general aviation world but the one I remember most was the P-51 Mustang that I had the pleasure of riding in on many occasions. I remember my uncle complaining about avgas being $2.00 per gallon, I wish he could see it now.
My Uncle gently passed away in Tennessee in 1997 after a bout with Wiggener's Disease at the age of 72. Friends of his once asked the question....was he a pilot or an attorney ? He was both, but his passion was aviation.
Wally and June (wife) had their first child, Alice, during the time he (Wally) was going to undergraduate school and Law School at the University of Miami. 1951 brought new tension as the United States was involved with the Korean's and Uncle Wally was recalled. He flew jet fighters with over 100 missions in F-101 Voodoo's, F-86's and F-84's returning home in 1952. My Uncle did not escape his combat mission's unscathed as took enemy fire on numerous occasions having to bail out in friendly territory, for this he earned his Purple Heart. Upon return from Korea he was assigned as a Test Pilot, jet fighters, to the Air Proving Ground where he ran U.S.A.F. suitability tests. In 1955 Wally graduated from Law School with the birth of their second daughter, Kathryn Ann, just six years later. Wally left the law firm of Mershon, Sawyer & Johnson in 1966 to start his own firm with long time friend and ex-NAVY pilot Ed Walton.
The time period reflecting 1961-62 found Wally being recalled (involuntarily) to participate in the Vietnam conflict. He was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base and saw Vietnam for only one month. In early 1971 after a couple of separation's Wally and June called it quits. This was not to be end of Wally's marital life as five years later he met and married Nancy Brookshire; however, Wally, June and Nancy would remain close friends.
Prior to the divorce (1968) Wally was transferred out of the Air Force Reserve to the Military Airlift Command (MAC)where he flew C-124 Globemasters. My Uncle was to fly many other aircraft but finally after 30 yrs he retired as a Lt. Col. with a very nice retirement.
There are many airplanes, helicopters, sea planes, gliders, and warbirds that Uncle Wally flew in the general aviation world but the one I remember most was the P-51 Mustang that I had the pleasure of riding in on many occasions. I remember my uncle complaining about avgas being $2.00 per gallon, I wish he could see it now.
My Uncle gently passed away in Tennessee in 1997 after a bout with Wiggener's Disease at the age of 72. Friends of his once asked the question....was he a pilot or an attorney ? He was both, but his passion was aviation.
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