After I shared the news — at Honey and Quinine and my AeroKnow Museum blog — of my interest in learning about John Thornton Walker, Richard and Connie Strouse, key contributors to what I shared about him in my book Springfield Aviation from Arcadia Publishing wrote me to correct some information.
Richard and Connie will visit Springfield to deliver and donate to AeroKnow Museum a 63 lb brass plaque displayed for decades at Fort Monroe, Virginia. It was presented by General Mark Clark and dedicated to John Thornton Walker when Walker Army Airstrip was dedicated after World War II. General Mark Clark, who was a frequent passenger flown by Walker during the Allied campaign in Italy presented the plaque at the dedication.
Walker’s wife Geraldine (Gerri) was from Indiana and lived in Springfield during the time she was married to John. They had one child, Connie, and following John’s death in Italy, Gerri returned to her home state with Connie. Walker is buried at a cemetery in Washington, Indiana.
I am writing a book, probably about 100 pages long, that will share the story of John Thornton Walker. Needed for this book are photos, memories of him during his life in Springfield, in the Illinois Army National Guard and his regular Army service. I intend to have all but the final chapter written, at least in a draft, when Richard and Connie come from their home in Delaware to Springfield later this year to see John’s city almost 70 years after Walker said goodbye, never to return. The final chapter will be about the Strouse’s’ visit to John’s home town.
If I can find a publisher for the book, it will be available from the publisher. If I cannot find a publisher, I will publish it under auspices of AeroKnow Museum, the first of what I hope with be a series of books and/or pamphlets about important Springfield area aviation people.
Live long . . . . . . and proper.
If you have photos and information to share about John Thornton Walker please call me — 217-544-6122 — or leave a comment following this post. Because I am administrator of this blog, I will see your e-mail address and will respond to your comment.
The book will be written
Thanks for your help.
So wonderful to find this information on John T. Walker. His widow Gerri (as I called her Mom Ball – her re-married last name) dressed me on the day I got married in 1961. John’s daughter, Connie Walker Strouse, Wyoming, DE and I were classmates and graduated from Plainfield, IN in 1960. I just found Connie on Facebook today – many years of looking……how we have scattered to almost all 50 states. This circle is now unbroken……
Marcia — I am delighted to read your note. Connie and her husband were TREMENDOUSLY helpful when I was putting my book Springfield Aviation together for Arcadia Publishing a few years ago. They and her husband’s brother donated material to my AeroKnow Museum so I can tell Springfieldians about the hero they don’t know, and I am slowly writing a book (fewer than 100 pages) about JTW and how the Strouses and I met. If you’re ever in Springfield I would LOVE to show that memorabilia to you! Connie and her husband visited Springfield last fall and knocked me over with their donation to the museum and excellent company and conversation!