T. J. Walker
| Thomas Jackson Walker III | |
|---|---|
| Born |
August 6, 1919 Edgartown, Massachusetts |
| Died | May 6, 2003 (aged 83) |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1939–1981 |
| Rank |
 Vice Admiral
|
| Commands held | Fighter Squadron 17 Fighter Squadron 5-B Fighter Squadron 61 Air Development Squadron 5 Fleet All-Weather Training Unit Nitro (AE-23) Constellation (CV-64) Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Navy Commendation Medal (2) |
Vice Admiral Thomas J. Walker (6 August 1919 – 6 May 2003) was an officer of the United States Navy, who served as first commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation.
Thomas Jackson Walker III was born in Edgartown, Massachusetts (on the island of Martha's Vineyard), on 6 August 1919, into a family with long maritime connections—three of his great-grandfathers had been whaling ship captains. After attending schools in Massachusetts and Florida, he attended the Marion Military Institute in Alabama. He then entered the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, with the class of 1939, and while there was stroke of the Academy crew and vice-president of his class for four years.
Following his commission as an ensign in June 1939, he joined the cruiser Minneapolis. In August 1941, he was detached for flight training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Designated Naval Aviator in March 1942, he joined the battleship New York as Senior Aviator. In this position, Walker spotted shore bombardment during the North African invasion at Safi, French Morocco and Casablanca and later participated in anti-submarine flights over convoys. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal "for his performance of duty on November 8, 1942, during the bombardment of Safi, French Morocco. Despite heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire he kept his ship supplied with accurate and timely reports without which the effect of the bombardment may not have been so effectively executed...."
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