FIRST WAR DEAD

During the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, armed forces of the Empire of Japan bombed the U.S. Naval fleet, and nearby facilities, at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. Due to this cowardly action, many ships were sunk and thousands of brave young men were killed or wounded. The following day President Roosevelt requested that the Congress of the United States declare war on the nation of Japan. Thus, America’s future for the following five years was established.

At the occurrence of this tragic event, six young Zeigler men were stationed at Pearl Harbor. Among those located at this Pacific Fleet base were: Alec Vemich, Emil Ginther, John Kolisek, Lewis Detweiler, Carroll Walker, and Lumus E. Walker. Unfortunately, one of this number was killed during the surprise attack and he achieved the unenviable honor of being the first Zeigler and Franklin County casualty of World War II.

Corporal Lumus Earl Walker, nineteen year old son of Robert and Bessie Walker, was killed during the Japanese attack on Wheeler Field. After graduating from Zeigler Community High School, Walker enrolled at Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbondale. However, after a short period of time he decided to change his life style and on December 3, 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following basic training, Walker was dispatched to Hawaii for his first duty post, arriving at Wheeler Field, Hawaii on February 6, 1941. This assignment was Walker’s home for the final ten months of his life.

Within a few days, as is the military custom, Mrs. Bessie Walker, Lumus’s mother, received a letter from her son’s commanding officer. The message read as follows:

Mrs. Bessie Walker
116 Ohio Street
Zeigler, Illinois

My Dear Mrs. Walker:

In our mutual grief, may I say a few words to you concerning the death of your son, Lumus E. Walker, Corporal, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 15th Pursuit Group (F), who departed this life the morning of December 7, 1941, as a result of a Japanese air raid at Wheeler Field, T.H. The loss of your son is felt deeply by myself and his many friends.
May we in our sorrow remember Him who said, “I am the resurrection and the life, and he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” Your son died heroically for his country and has received a full military funeral. He was buried December 9 at the Post Cemetery, Schofield Barracks, T.H. in Plot Number 3, Row N, Grave Number 65. The service of burial was conducted by Chaplain Alvin A. Katt of Wheeler Field. Chaplain Emil W. Geitner, in charge of Summary Court, will send your son’s personal effects to you. Any correspondence concerning your son should be addressed to his office.
May God assuage your grief and give you strength in this hour when you have made such a costly sacrifice for your country. Your son has not died in vain. His heroism will encourage others to fight on to victory for our beloved country.

Sincerely,
Wm. J. Flood
Col., Air Corps
Commanding Officer

At the successful conclusion of World War II, Lumus Walker’s body was returned to his home town of Zeigler. The first leg of the trip, from Hawaii to San Francisco, was aboard the Honda Knot. In San Francisco the casket was shipped to the quartermaster depot at Kansas City where it awaited movement to St. Louis. After nearly three weeks, Corporal Walker’s body was ordered to a Southern Railway passenger train bound for St. Louis. When the deceased veteran arrived in St. Louis, the big brown shipping box was immediately positioned on a C.B. & Q. train bound for Centralia, Illinois. Finally, Lumus’ last train ride occurred on the “Dinky” as it ran from Centralia to Zeigler.

It was raining hard when the locomotive pulled into the “Q” station. But, never the less, more than 100 relatives, friends, and neighbors, along with legionnaires from Patrick McClellan Post 177 in Zeigler, were there to meet their son, relative, friend, and classmate. Immediately, the American Legion took control of the program, and the Color Guard and pallbearers began their trek to the Baptist Church.

Pallbearers assembled for the final rites, all classmates of Lumus Walker, were Bayless Grey, James Clark, Burdell O’Neil, Carlos Pleshi, Bill Westermeier and Ray Owens. In addition, preceding the casket was the Color Guard under the command of Sergeant Guido Ferrari. Members of that body were Jeff Bagwell, Luke Orsage and Russell Knupp.

At the place of final internment, the Masonic and Odd Fellows cemetery in Benton, the firing squad gave Lumus E. Walker a final salute. Those veterans performing that honor were Malcolm Northcutt, Ralph Cox, Buster Sciranko, Foster Walker, Astor Sheffer, Henry Warfel, Clyde Barrell, George Zehak and John Raski.

Even though Walker is not buried in his home town, he still is very much in the hearts of his family, friends, and all of those who knew him during his brief nineteen year life.

Submitted by Dr. Allan D. Patton

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