Alonzo J. Walter Jr.

Brig. Gen. Alonzo J. Walter Jr. (USAF, retired) passed away Aug.13, 2022 at 93. Walter was born in Morgan City, La., to Alonzo and Gertrude (Norman) Walter. He was raised in Erath and New Iberia, La. Following graduation from Castle Heights Military Academy, he attended Virginia Military Institute, graduating in the class of 1949B as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Walter won his pilot wings at Randolph AFB, Texas. He was an F-86 fighter pilot in the Korean War, flying 48 combat missions, and was then stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, where he obtained his master’s degree in electrical engineering. It was at this assignment that he met and married his wife, 2nd Lt. Doris Snyder.

Gen. Walter’s Air Force career would go on to span 30 years, primarily flying fighter craft. He graduated from the USAF Test Pilot School and was in the final 31 candidates from which the Mercury Seven astronauts were selected. Among his proudest career accomplishments were testing the A-12, the precursor to the SR-71, and commanding the 31st TFW at Homestead AFB, Fla., flying the F4 Phantom II. Upon his selection to promotion to brigadier general on July 1, 1974, he became the first graduate of the VMI Air Force ROTC program to be so honored. He served two overseas staff tours at PACAF Headquarters and Headquarters U.S. European Command, and he served a tour in Vietnam as a forward air controller.

After his retirement, Gen. Walter continued to serve his community in Austin, Texas, as a volunteer with a local American Legion post and as a chairman for the City of Austin grand jury. He also enjoyed attending reunions with his fellow Castle Heights and VMI cadets whenever possible.

Gen. Walter is survived by his wife of 70 years, Doris, his daughters Terry Gabreski (Don) and Beverly Myers (Gary), grandchildren Kimberly Yandell, Larry Myers, Matthew Gabreski and Mark Gabreski, and great-grandchildren Everett Yandell, Violet Yandell and Olivia Myers, as well as his sisters Gwenn Bent and Myrna Stone. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo and Gertrude Walter, and his sister, Jennifer Sonnier. Interment will be at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery in San Antonio.