Lynn Rea (also Reese) “Cotton” Walker was born on 7 September 1915, Morristown, Tennessee, the son of Dana Clarence Walker and Beulah Vann Massengill.
Died 13 July 1943
On July 13, 1943 at 0505L, 1st Lt Melving Veigen and his complete crew took off on a sea search mission in airplane B-24D with serial number 42-40239. The mission being conducted was a standard Y and extending 800 miles out of Ampersand in the sector 046 to 054 degrees. Throughout the flight the pilot was ordered to keep radio silence except in case of emergency of sighting unidentified or enemy aircraft or shipping. The gasoline load was sufficient to last about 15 hours. At about 1700, after no radio contact with this plane could be made, the lost plane procedure was immediately put into operation with no results. On July 14, 1943 at approximately 0500L a special search was conducted consisting 8 B-24’s, 2 B-17’s, 4 P-40’s and 3 PBY’s. All planes returned with negative reports. On July 15, 1943 at about 0700L a special search was again conducted consisting of 5 B-24D’s covering the entire area. Again all reports were negative. In addition to the search conducted from this station, there were also searches conducted from Funafuti and a negative report resulted.
Crew members
Pilot, 1st Lt Melvin Feigen
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Richard L. Jacobs
Navigator 2nd Lt Lynn R. Walker
Bombardier, 2nd Lt William D. Mulberry
Engineer, T/Sgt Malvin J. Standridge
Assistant Engineer, S/Sgt Frank Andalora
Radio Operator, T/Sgt Raymond T. Nolan
Assistant Radio Operator, S/Sgt Lester L. Amstutz
Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Robert J. Pribish
Armorer Gunner, S/Sgt Colonel A. Brooks
Lynn Walker is memorialized at Honolulu.
The Knoxville Journal, 22 February 1943
Lt. Lynn R. Walker, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Walker, Morristown, has received his wings as an aerial navigator after graduation from the AAF Navigation School, Hondo, Texas. Lieutenant Walker and the other navigators who were graduated from the school will be assigned to bombers or supply planes to direct their courses to the enemy.
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 7 September 1915
- Date of death: 13 July 1943
- County: Hamblen
- Hometown: Morristown
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 372nd Bomber Squadron, 307th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Location In Memorial: Pillar X, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Lynn R. Walker
Image Gallery
Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.
