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<em>Robert James Walters </em>died in an airplane accident at Dak Het, Vietnam, 27 June 1970. At the time of his death he was inspecting engineer projects at remote Special Forces sites in North Central Vietnam. The plane in which he was a passenger overshot the strip and crashed while attempting to land.</div>
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Bob, as he was known to his family and many friends, was an “Army Brat” in the traditional sense. Born in Santa Monica, California, 18 August 1941, Bob’s early childhood included the usual amenities and nomadic existence of the average Army family. He graduated from Francis Hammond High School in Alexandria, Virginia. He was an honor student. Eagle Scout and sports editor of the High School yearbook. He was popular among his Class, having many friends.</div>
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Bob’s heritage as a professional soldier had traditional ties to West Point, with a grandfather, father, brother, and two uncles West Pointers, and, like Bob, career soldiers, with a combined service of 133 years. Bob’s grandfather graduated in 1908, later to become the oldest survivor of Bataan on the Death March.</div>
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While at West Point, to quote one of his classmates, Bob was true in his efforts and stubborn in his ideals. He knew academic "stardom” as well as fellowship among his classmates. He was on the Honor Committee, Lacrosse team, Debate council, and a parachutist. During the summer of his Second Class Year, he was in Ethiopia, one of three cadets to take part in "Operations Crossroads," a Peace Corps type, privately sponsored program in which some seventy-two colleges and universities participated. Immediately following graduation from West Point, Bob spent the first month of his graduation leave on the “Eagle" with the Coast Guard Academy Cadets on their annual training cruise. Bob was sincere and deeply religious. He served as an acolyte in the Episcopal Church as a boy; won a God and Country Award as a Boy Scout, was a member of the West Point Cadet Chapel Choir, and the first lay reader licensed in the Episcopal Church in Okinawa. Bob has never wavered in his ideals of “Duty, Honor, Country."</div>
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His classmates and friends have offered to compose a eulogy to our son, which we greatly appreciate; the following excerpts from them seem appropriate.</div>
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Mike Willingham, former high school classmate with the Peace Corps in Peru, writes: “Intangible factors that make me look at whatever I do with a more honest eye and perhaps work harder, hopefully a bit better because of Bob—he had an honest eye and liked hard work. So it is that he is in all people he knew and loved and even in those who will never be able to explain it to you. It is kind of like having him near, looking over my shoulder and helping me along. So his loss I feel, but the pleasure of knowing him and perhaps of keeping part of his spark alive, that will never leave me.”</div>
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Pete Elson, West Point classmate, writes: “Bob’s strong character and magnetic personality gives us all strength to carry on as he would want us to. Our getting together at various places always raised my spirits. On his last R&R we enjoyed talking about old times and mutual experiences at the Point, Ranger and Jump Schools. Bob’s ‘all the way-airbome spirit’ was always present in his speech and manner. We rededicated ourselves to serve to the best of our abilities as long as possible. For Bob's sake, I will continue to do just that."</div>
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Jack Grubbs, West Point classmate, writes: “We served almost four years together on Okinawa and in Vietnam with the 173d Airborne Brigade and later with the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg...Bob gave outstanding combat engineer support to the 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry in Okinawa following Airborne and Ranger Training. In May 1965 the 173d was deployed to Vietnam as the first Army combat unit to enter the war. Bob was given the mission of preparing the company perimeter for the arrival of the remainder of the company. Being in the advance party, he held the ‘dubious’ honor of being one of the first, if not the first, of our Class to arrive in Vietnam. Throughout his tour, he rendered outstanding combat engineer support to the entire brigade, including demolition and mine clearing missions, building fortifications and construction of the brigade base camp. An example of his performance was summed up in the commander’s combat note on brigade operations in the famous ‘Iron Triangle’:</div>
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“ ‘The Engineers had the mission of running the water point just outside the brigade perimeter. Although harrassed on four separate occasions by VC rifle fire, grenades, and mortars, this group under Lieutenant Walters continued to function both day and night without complaint or requests for assistance. A job well done.’</div>
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“On numerous occasions, Bob’s platoon was reorganized as infantry and he led his men into War Zone D, the Plain of Reeds, and Ho Bo Woods.</div>
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“Bob returned from Vietnam and was assigned to the 82d Airborne Division’s 307th Engineer Battalion. He qualified as a Jump Master and was awarded the Senior Parachutist Badge. He volunteered for Special Forces and was assigned to the 539th Engineer Detachment in Okinawa. Bob wrote several times and told of being happy in his work, so much so that at the conclusion of his tour, which included duty in Korea as well as Okinawa, he volunteered for return to Vietnam. He was given command of the 87th Engineer Company, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Again he wrote expressing pride in his unit with its multitude of missions.</div>
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"Throughout all the time we served together, Bob was a wonderful and true friend. He visited with us often. To my children, a visit from ‘Uncle Bob’ was a big event at our house. Our comradeship, from the serious moments in Vietnam to the enjoyable capers in the States, will always be a cherished memory."</div>
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Bob's service awards included the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Senior Parachutist Badge. Perhaps his most treasured achievement was commanding the company to win the coveted Itschner Award as the outstanding engineer company in the Army.</div>
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Bob was a man, a soldier, and a devoted son with warmest concern for his family and a host of friends. Nothing was too remote nor too difficult; his response was always a conscientious effort in true spirit of willingness to help. We would be remiss to merely say, "Thank you, Bob, well done, good and faithful son." Somehow, by the grace of God, we must be worthy of the freedom and the way of life he fought and died for. Lives of great men all remind us.</div>
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We can make our lives sublime</div>
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And departing, leave behind us</div>
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Footprints on the sands of time.</div>
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<em>—Tennyson</em></div>
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