[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25889]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN TRIBUTE TO COL ANTHONY WALKER, USMC

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I rise to note the recent death of Marine 
Corps COL Anthony Walker, a Rhode Islander who served his country with 
the highest distinction.
  After graduating in 1939 from Yale College, Mr. Walker enlisted in 
the Marine Corps, was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1941 and was 
deployed to the South Pacific during World War II.
  As a Raider Company commander, he led part of the successful attack 
on Viru Harbor, New Georgia. He was wounded in New Georgia at the 
battle for Bairoko. Returning to combat, he fought in the campaigns of 
Emirau, Guam, and Okinawa. In Okinawa, he commanded the 6th Marine 
Division's Reconnaissance Company, leading numerous night patrols and 
attacks. The end of the war marked 30 continuous months for him in the 
Pacific Theater.
  Colonel Walker later served tours of duty as a U.N. observer in 
Kashmir, as a battalion and regimental commander in the Fleet Marine 
Force, as a commander of Marine Barracks at Fort Campbell, KY, and at 
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was a student and an instructor at the U.S. 
Naval War College in Newport, and in 1971 concluded 32 years of active 
duty, including a year in South Vietnam as the Operations Officer of 
the Joint Military Assistance Command.
  In the Marine Corps, this Vietnam War veteran was known as ``Cold 
Steel'' in recognition of his particular skill in close combat and 
small unit tactics. Colonel Walker was highly regarded for his tactical 
and leadership skills. His decorations included two Silver Stars, the 
Purple Heart, a Presidential Unit Citation, a Navy Unit Commendation 
and the Legion of Merit.
  A devoted military historian, he published two books and numerous 
articles, many on the Revolutionary War. His book, ``So Few the 
Brave,'' is the definitive history of the Rhode Island regiments in the 
Revolution.
  Colonel Walker served as president of Middletown Little League and 
was a volunteer for the Sachuest Point Wildlife Sanctuary. He was a 
member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Marine Corps 
Heritage Foundation, and the Middletown Historical Society.
  Colonel Walker leaves behind Judith Walker, his wife of 57 years, 
three sons, William W. Walker of Winston-Salem, NC, Daniel A. Walker of 
Hartford, CT, and Lt. Col. Andrew D. Walker, USMC, retired, of 
Poolesville, MD; and six grandchildren.
  Colonel Walker was a man of integrity and honesty, a leader respected 
and loved by his family, friends, colleagues and military alumni in the 
Newport area. He will truly be missed.

                          ____________________