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<em>Walter Joseph Bryde</em> was born at West Point, NY, the son of SGT and Mrs. Frederick J. Bryde. He graduated from high school in Newburgh, NY, where he earned a letter in football and was his school’s senior athlete with the highest scholastic average. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and entered in 1929 after a stint at Braden’s Preparatory School in Cornwall, NY. Insufficient background in math and lack of interest in chemistry caused his return to civilian life in the winter of 1930. Walter then concentrated on achieving his first choice, USMA, and joined the National Guard. He later won a competitive appointment and entered the Academy in July of 1931, with the Class of ’35. With more adequate academic preparation, he graduated in the middle of his class.</p>
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His roommate described him in the <em>’35 Howitzer</em> as follows: "Wally has lived within such bounds as he cared to, never attaching an undue amount of importance to getting the dust out of the slot of his bayonet. He still has done his work well. Academics came neither easy nor hard. He participated in sports for the sheer joy of playing. He will be remembered as the one who seemed to hide a great deal of talent beneath an unrunt like air of nonchalance." He earned an "A" as a member of the ice hockey squad and participated in the famous game with the Royal Military College of Canada that ended in a tie after two overtime periods. In this traditional contest, USMA had never previously achieved a win or tie.</p>
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Following gradutation, Walter and Margaret Moore married in August of 1935. After a short stay at Randolph Field, TX, the newlyweds moved to Ft. Sam Houston, TX, where Walter was assigned to the 15th Field Artillery.</p>
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In the spring of 1936, the young couple took off across the country for San Francisco, where they embarked on the ship <em>Republic</em> for Hawaii. In the Islands, Walter was assigned to the 11th Field Artillery Regiment at Schofield Barracks. The three-year tour of duty in Hawaii was noteworthy because their son, Walter, Jr., was born, and the presence of many classmates made life pleasant and interesting.</p>
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A shortened battery officers’ course at Ft. Sill, OK followed. In February of 1940, Walter joined the 7th Field Artillery on maneuvers at Ft. Benning, GA. After extended maneuvers, the unit moved to Ft. Ethan Allen, VT, where the 32d and 33rd FA Battalions were formed from the 7th Field Artillery Regiment, along with the 5th Field Artillery Battalion. These units comprised the Division Artillery of the 1st Infantry Division, the "Big Red One."</p>
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The Brydes’ daughter, Maribelle, was born while Walter was on maneuvers in the south, before sailing to England on the <em>Queen Mary</em> in July of 1942. A postwar daughter, Christine, was born while the family lived in Washington, DC.</p>
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Walter remained with the 33rd Field Artillery Battalion until November of 1944, serving as battery commander, S-3, executive officer, and commanding officer. He participated in the D Day landings on Omaha Beach, and campaigns in Oran, Algeria and Gela, Sicily.</p>
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His postwar assignments included the G-3 Section, Headquarters, Army Ground Forces; the Joint Brazil-U.S. Military Commission in Brazil; the Armed Forces Staff College; the G-3 section of the General Staff in the Pentagon; Chief of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan; and the Army War College Class of 1954. A command assignment with the 57th Field Artillery Group (later the 71st Division Artillery) followed at Ft. Lewis, WA.</p>
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While serving in the MAAG, Spain, Walter had the pleasant duty of officiating in the "swearing in" enlistment ceremony of son Walter, Jr. in the Army. After prep school, Walter, Jr. graduated with the Class of ’62. He retired as a major general in 1994.</p>
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Following a short tour with the Continental Army Command, Walter was assigned to the Artillery and Missile Center at Ft. Sill as Chief of Staff. From there, he went to his last military assignment as Chief of Staff, the Antillies Command, at Ft. Brooke, Puerto Rico.</p>
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Walter retired in 1964 with more than 30 years of service. His awards include the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster; two Bronze Stars for valor; the French Fourreggerre in colors of tile Crois de Guerre; the Legion of Merit, the Brazilian Medalha de Merito Militar; the United Nations Medal; and various campaign ribbons.</p>
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Following his retirement, Walter and Margaret entered the field of education in Florida. He served for 13 years as an instructor and division chairman of the Social Science Division at Lake Sumter Community College, Leesburg, FL. Margaret was an art instructor at the same college.</p>
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Walter Joseph Bryde died on 15 Mar 1998 in Leesburg, FL, at the age of 87. He is survived by his widow, Margaret; son MG (USA, Ret.) Walter J. Bryde, Jr.; daughters, Mrs. Stephen Leavitt of San Francisco, CA, and Mrs. Gregory Pack, of Pensacola, FL; and six grandchildren.</p>
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Duty was well performed.</p>