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|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]] candidate for [[United States House of Representatives]], 8th congressional district, 1964​

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]] candidate for [[United States House of Representatives]], 8th congressional district, 1964​

|alma_mater=[[Northwestern State University]]​}}

|alma_mater=[[Northwestern State University]]​}}

 

'''William Stewart Walker,''' usually known as '''Stewart Walker''' (October 6, 1914 – February 6, 1999), was a lieutenant colonel froom Winnfield [[Louisiana]], who during [[World War II]] as a [[United States Army]] major, rescued 380 of his fellow soldiers from behind enemy lines in [[Belgium]] in December 1944. In 1964, he ran unsuccessfully as a [[Republican Party|Republican]] for Louisiana's since disbanded 8th congressional district seat in the [[United States House of Representatives]].​

'''William Stewart Walker,''' usually known as '''Stewart Walker''' (October 6, 1914 – February 6, 1999), was a lieutenant colonel froom Winnfield [[Louisiana]], who during [[World War II]] as a [[United States Army]] major, rescued 380 of his fellow soldiers from behind enemy lines in [[Belgium]] in December 1944. In 1964, he ran unsuccessfully as a [[Republican Party|Republican]] for Louisiana's since disbanded 8th congressional district seat in the [[United States House of Representatives]].​

Walker was a cousin of [[Morgan W. Walker, Sr.]], an [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] businessman who was president and founder of  Continental Trailways.<ref>Obituary of [[Morgan W. Walker,  Sr.]], ''Winn Parish Enterprise News'', Winnfield, Louisiana, February 23, 1983.</ref>​

Walker was a cousin of [[Morgan W. Walker, Sr.]], an [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] businessman who was president and founder of  Continental Trailways.<ref>Obituary of [[Morgan W. Walker,  Sr.]], ''Winn Parish Enterprise News'', Winnfield, Louisiana, February 23, 1983.</ref>​

 

Walker graduated from Northwestern State University. On September 1, 1940, he married the former Mary Elizabeth Abel (November 29, 1911 &ndash; September 2, 1999), a [[music]] teacher in Winnfield and the daughter of Florence Kees (1875-1949) and Perry Kees Abel, Sr. (1867-1966).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=60525&h=4983239&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=2442|title=Perry Kees Abel|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=March 26, 2019}}</ref>

Walker graduated from Northwestern State University. On September 1, 1940, he married the former Mary Elizabeth Abel (November 29, 1911 &ndash; September 2, 1999), a [[music]] teacher in Winnfield and the daughter of Florence Kees (1875-1949) and Perry Kees Abel, Sr. (1867-1966).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=60525&h=4983239&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=2442|title=Perry Kees Abel|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=March 26, 2019}}</ref>

Walker's military exploits in December 1944 were related by the [[Associated Press]] war correspondent Kenneth L. Dixon, later of ''The Baton Rouge Advocate''. In an article entitled "Major William S. Walker Leads Yanks From Nazis Lines In Daring Exploit; Beat Off Numerous Attacks In 6 Days," Dixon describes Walker as having used "cage strategy" to bring his men to safety. Dixon reported that the men had been "isolated and encircled for five days and nights" east of Marche, Belgium. ​

Walker's military exploits in December 1944 were related by the [[Associated Press]] war correspondent Kenneth L. Dixon, later of ''The Baton Rouge Advocate''. In an article entitled "Major William S. Walker Leads Yanks From Nazis Lines In Daring Exploit; Beat Off Numerous Attacks In 6 Days," Dixon describes Walker as having used "cage strategy" to bring his men to safety. Dixon reported that the men had been "isolated and encircled for five days and nights" east of Marche, Belgium. ​

Dixon described the exploits as:​

Dixon described the exploits as:​

 

*(1) penetration of enemy lines for more than thirty miles,​

*(1) penetration of enemy lines for more than thirty miles,​

*(2) trapped by three [[Panzer]] divisions,​

*(2) trapped by three [[Panzer]] divisions,​

*(4) digging into a village to thwart an enemy counterattack​,

*(4) digging into a village to thwart an enemy counterattack​,

*(5) refusal to surrender no matter how hopeless their prospects appeared.<ref name=dixon>Kenneth L. Dixon, "Major William S. Walker Leads Yanks From Nazis Lines In Daring Exploit; Beat Off Numerous Attacks In 6 Days: Winnfield Officer Employs Cage Strategy To Bring Men To Safety", ''Winnfield News-American', December 29, 1944.</ref>​

*(5) refusal to surrender no matter how hopeless their prospects appeared.<ref name=dixon>Kenneth L. Dixon, "Major William S. Walker Leads Yanks From Nazis Lines In Daring Exploit; Beat Off Numerous Attacks In 6 Days: Winnfield Officer Employs Cage Strategy To Bring Men To Safety", ''Winnfield News-American', December 29, 1944.</ref>​

 

Walker carefully conserved his [[gasoline]] and still tried to strike through the Nazi parallel lines. Each attempt encountered overwhelming antitank, mortar, and artillery resistance. "Finally we closed up for the night there on the road, with both ends digging in," Walker was quoted by Dixon. Soon a radio message from headquarters ordered the men to fight their way back to the Allied lines.<ref name=dixon/>​

Walker carefully conserved his [[gasoline]] and still tried to strike through the Nazi parallel lines. Each attempt encountered overwhelming antitank, mortar, and artillery resistance. "Finally we closed up for the night there on the road, with both ends digging in," Walker was quoted by Dixon. Soon a radio message from headquarters ordered the men to fight their way back to the Allied lines.<ref name=dixon/>​

 

Walker directed the task force against a large enemy [[infantry]] force. He spotted a village on a high, mostly barren hill, and the task force pushed through to reach the town. Hogan had already arrived there four hours earlier. Using their last fuel, the Americans moved their tanks, half-tracks, and artillery pieces to seven roads leading from town. They then erected roadblocks."<ref name=dixon/>​

Walker directed the task force against a large enemy [[infantry]] force. He spotted a village on a high, mostly barren hill, and the task force pushed through to reach the town. Hogan had already arrived there four hours earlier. Using their last fuel, the Americans moved their tanks, half-tracks, and artillery pieces to seven roads leading from town. They then erected roadblocks."<ref name=dixon/>​

 

On December 23, 1944, pilots in unarmed C-47s attempted unsuccessfully to fly in supplies. On December 24, three German officers appeared in half-tracks bearing a white flag. They told Hogan that the Allied position was hopeless. The men saluted when Hogan replied that he had been ordered to fight to the finish. Lieutenant Harold L. W. Randall of White Cloud, [[Kansas]], led an exploratory patrol. On [[Christmas Day]], the force was ordered to try to make a run for it.  The men blackened their faces and removed their helmets to confuse enemy patrols. They damaged their armored vehicles to make them useless to the enemy. Hogan's men hiked over terrain so rugged that the Nazis had not thought it necessary to man the areas. Finally, on December 26, all but twenty of the four hundred men returned in triumph.<ref name=dixon/>​

On December 23, 1944, pilots in unarmed C-47s attempted unsuccessfully to fly in supplies. On December 24, three German officers appeared in half-tracks bearing a white flag. They told Hogan that the Allied position was hopeless. The men saluted when Hogan replied that he had been ordered to fight to the finish. Lieutenant Harold L. W. Randall of White Cloud, [[Kansas]], led an exploratory patrol. On [[Christmas Day]], the force was ordered to try to make a run for it.  The men blackened their faces and removed their helmets to confuse enemy patrols. They damaged their armored vehicles to make them useless to the enemy. Hogan's men hiked over terrain so rugged that the Nazis had not thought it necessary to man the areas. Finally, on December 26, all but twenty of the four hundred men returned in triumph.<ref name=dixon/>​

 

Walker's subsequent activities were thereafter reported by ''The New Orleans Times Picayune'' under the headline "'Task Force Hogan' Back from New Armored Raid Deep into Germany".<ref>"'Task Force Hogan' Back from New Armored Raid Deep into Germany", ''New Orleans Times-Picayune'', January 9, 1945.</ref>

Walker's subsequent activities were thereafter reported by ''The New Orleans Times Picayune'' under the headline "'Task Force Hogan' Back from New Armored Raid Deep into Germany".<ref>"'Task Force Hogan' Back from New Armored Raid Deep into Germany", ''New Orleans Times-Picayune'', January 9, 1945.</ref>

 

There is no evidence that Walker received any medals or commendation for his work in the relief of the soldiers in Belgium.​

There is no evidence that Walker received any medals or commendation for his work in the relief of the soldiers in Belgium.​

On returning to Louisiana after his military career ended in compulsory retirement, Walker taught military science for a time at his ''alma mater'', Northwestern State University, where his brother, George T. Walker, was then the dean.<ref>Statement of Ellen Walker Stephenson of Lancaster,  [[Pennsylvania]], a niece of William S. Walker, September 2008.</ref>​

On returning to Louisiana after his military career ended in compulsory retirement, Walker taught military science for a time at his ''alma mater'', Northwestern State University, where his brother, George T. Walker, was then the dean.<ref>Statement of Ellen Walker Stephenson of Lancaster,  [[Pennsylvania]], a niece of William S. Walker, September 2008.</ref>​

 

He soon became active in the budding movement to establish a competitive Republican Party in Louisiana, having first been a candidate for the Louisiana State Senate in the [[general election]] held on March 3, 1964, the same contest in which [[Charlton Lyons]] of [[Shreveport]], who also had Winn Parish ties, carried the Republican banner for governor. Walker was defeated, 81-19 percent, by the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[nominee]], former state Representative W. L. Rambo of Georgetown in Grant Parish.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election returns, Louisiana State Senate, March 3, 1964.</ref> who was allied with the [[Earl Long|Long]] political faction and was even to a member of the Long family.​

He soon became active in the budding movement to establish a competitive Republican Party in Louisiana, having first been a candidate for the Louisiana State Senate in the [[general election]] held on March 3, 1964, the same contest in which [[Charlton Lyons]] of [[Shreveport]], who also had Winn Parish ties, carried the Republican banner for governor. Walker was defeated, 81-19 percent, by the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[nominee]], former state Representative W. L. Rambo of Georgetown in Grant Parish.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election returns, Louisiana State Senate, March 3, 1964.</ref> who was allied with the [[Earl Long|Long]] political faction and was even to a member of the Long family.​

Walker's opponent was Speedy Oteria Long (1927-2006), an [[attorney]] and a former state senator from Jena in LaSalle Parish. Considered the most [[conservative]] of the Longs, Speedy had unseated his cousin, Gillis William Long (1923-1985) of Alexandria, in the Democratic primary in the summer of 1964. Walker's showing, a half percent better than Treen received in his race against the Democrat Thomas Hale Boggs, Sr. (1914-1972), may have been a reflection of continuing Long factional divisions, which had appeared in 1963 in the gubernatorial primary. In that campaign, U.S. Representative Gillis Long was endorsed by U.S. Senator [[Russell Long]], the son of [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], and the successful opponent, [[John J. McKeithen]], carried the backing of Blanche Beulah Revere Long (1902-1998), Earl Long's politically influential widow. Goldwater was an easy winner in Louisiana and polled large majorities in the northern half of the state prior to passage of the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965]], which brought forth the registration of large numbers of [[African American]]s. Goldwater provided a boost to Walker but insufficient help to defeat a Long candidate.<ref>[[Bill Dodd]], ''Peapatch Politics: The Earl Long Era in Louisiana Politics'', [[Baton Rouge]]: Claitor's Publishing, 1991.</ref>​ Speedy Long prevailed in the House contest, 33,250 votes (54.5 percent) to Walker's 27,735 (45.5 percent). Walker carried only Rapides Parish but polled at least 40 percent in Sabine, Natchitoches,  Grant, LaSalle, and Winn parishes.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, U.S. Congress, November 3, 1964.</ref>

Walker's opponent was Speedy Oteria Long (1927-2006), an [[attorney]] and a former state senator from Jena in LaSalle Parish. Considered the most [[conservative]] of the Longs, Speedy had unseated his cousin, Gillis William Long (1923-1985) of Alexandria, in the Democratic primary in the summer of 1964. Walker's showing, a half percent better than Treen received in his race against the Democrat Thomas Hale Boggs, Sr. (1914-1972), may have been a reflection of continuing Long factional divisions, which had appeared in 1963 in the gubernatorial primary. In that campaign, U.S. Representative Gillis Long was endorsed by U.S. Senator [[Russell Long]], the son of [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], and the successful opponent, [[John J. McKeithen]], carried the backing of Blanche Beulah Revere Long (1902-1998), Earl Long's politically influential widow. Goldwater was an easy winner in Louisiana and polled large majorities in the northern half of the state prior to passage of the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965]], which brought forth the registration of large numbers of [[African American]]s. Goldwater provided a boost to Walker but insufficient help to defeat a Long candidate.<ref>[[Bill Dodd]], ''Peapatch Politics: The Earl Long Era in Louisiana Politics'', [[Baton Rouge]]: Claitor's Publishing, 1991.</ref>​ Speedy Long prevailed in the House contest, 33,250 votes (54.5 percent) to Walker's 27,735 (45.5 percent). Walker carried only Rapides Parish but polled at least 40 percent in Sabine, Natchitoches,  Grant, LaSalle, and Winn parishes.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, U.S. Congress, November 3, 1964.</ref>

 

Walker never again sought office and was not visibly involved thereafter in politics.

Walker never again sought office and was not visibly involved thereafter in politics.

==Death==

==Death==

 

After more than three decades of retirement, Walker died at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria at the age of eighty-four. His services were held on February 9, 1999, at Edmond's Funeral Home Chapel in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bayou.com/~suelynn/99obits/feb99.html|title=Obituaries from the ''Monroe News Star''|publisher=bayou.com|accessdate=July 18, 2009}}</ref> Nine months after her husband's passing, Elizabeth Walker died in Winn Parish Medical Center. Her services were held in the First [[United Methodist]] Church in Winnfield. Pastor Barry Hoekstra (1956-2014), later of First United Methodist in Alexandria and St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Shreveport,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=barry-hoekstra&pid=172602862&fhid=10228|title=Barry Hoekstra|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=September 28, 2014}}</ref> officiated at the services for both William and Elizabeth Walker. There are three Walkere children, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Walker (born August 30, 1948), then of [[Boston]],  [[Massachusetts]], William T. "Will" Walker (born on March 12, 1950, and adopted in Linz, Austria) and wife Shirley, then of [[Tallahassee]], [[Florida]], and Stewart Abel Walker (born September 22, 1951), then of [[New York City]], and two grandchildren, the offspring of Will Walker. William and Mary Elizabeth Walker, who died in the same year, are interred at the family plot at Transport Cemetery in Dodson in Winn Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/winn/obits/current/sep1999.txt|title=Mary Elizabeth Walker obituary|publisher=files.usgwarchives.net|accessdate=July 19, 2009}}</ref>​

After more than three decades of retirement, Walker died at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria at the age of eighty-four. His services were held on February 9, 1999, at Edmond's Funeral Home Chapel in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bayou.com/~suelynn/99obits/feb99.html|title=Obituaries from the ''Monroe News Star''|publisher=bayou.com|accessdate=July 18, 2009}}</ref> Nine months after her husband's passing, Elizabeth Walker died in Winn Parish Medical Center. Her services were held in the First [[United Methodist]] Church in Winnfield. Pastor Barry Hoekstra (1956-2014), later of First United Methodist in Alexandria and St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Shreveport,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=barry-hoekstra&pid=172602862&fhid=10228|title=Barry Hoekstra|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=September 28, 2014}}</ref> officiated at the services for both William and Elizabeth Walker. There are three Walkere children, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Walker (born August 30, 1948), then of [[Boston]],  [[Massachusetts]], William T. "Will" Walker (born on March 12, 1950, and adopted in Linz, Austria) and wife Shirley, then of [[Tallahassee]], [[Florida]], and Stewart Abel Walker (born September 22, 1951), then of [[New York City]], and two grandchildren, the offspring of Will Walker. William and Mary Elizabeth Walker, who died in the same year, are interred at the family plot at Transport Cemetery in Dodson in Winn Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/winn/obits/current/sep1999.txt|title=Mary Elizabeth Walker obituary|publisher=files.usgwarchives.net|accessdate=July 19, 2009}}</ref>​

==A previous William S. Walker==

==A previous William S. Walker==

 

Another William S. Walker served in the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] Army and  died from wounds received in 1864 at the Battle of Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Like the 20th-century Walker, the 19th-century William S. Walker was a lieutenant colonel. He was listed in the first Winn Parish [[census]] in 1860 as having been an [[Alabama]] native and twenty-eight years of age. He became only the second [[sheriff]] of Winn Parish, leaving the position to join the Confederate Army . It is believed that this Walker, who was married to the former Rosanna McCreight, was buried at Mansfield Cemetery and that his remains were later exhumed and reburied in a family plot near Jonesboro in Jackson Parish. The Winnfield chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy is named after the first William S. Walker. There were many Walkers in the area over both centuries and no indication that the World War II William Stewart Walker was a descendant of the Confederate William S. Walker.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.penandsaber.com/grays28th/wmwlkr.html|title=Lt. Col William Walker, C.S.A.|publisher=penandsaber.com|accessdate=July 20, 2009}}</ref>​

Another William S. Walker served in the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] Army and  died from wounds received in 1864 at the Battle of Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Like the 20th-century Walker, the 19th-century William S. Walker was a lieutenant colonel. He was listed in the first Winn Parish [[census]] in 1860 as having been an [[Alabama]] native and twenty-eight years of age. He became only the second [[sheriff]] of Winn Parish, leaving the position to join the Confederate Army . It is believed that this Walker, who was married to the former Rosanna McCreight, was buried at Mansfield Cemetery and that his remains were later exhumed and reburied in a family plot near Jonesboro in Jackson Parish. The Winnfield chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy is named after the first William S. Walker. There were many Walkers in the area over both centuries and no indication that the World War II William Stewart Walker was a descendant of the Confederate William S. Walker.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.penandsaber.com/grays28th/wmwlkr.html|title=Lt. Col William Walker, C.S.A.|publisher=penandsaber.com|accessdate=July 20, 2009}}</ref>​

 

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}​

{{reflist}}​

 

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, William Stewart}}​

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, William Stewart}}​

[[Category:Louisiana People]]​

[[Category:Louisiana People]]​