Gwaltney was born in
Traskwood, Arkansas, to Boulanger Gwaltney, M.D. (1887–1923), and Mary Effie Irby Gwaltney (1889–1945). After his father died, Gwaltney was raised in
Charleston, Arkansas. During World War II, he served with the
112th Cavalry in the
Philippines Campaign (1944–45) where he met
Norman Mailer. Returning to Arkansas after the war, Gwaltney obtained his high school diploma, then earned a degree in English from the
University of Arkansas. He married Emma Carolyn Calhoun on August 19, 1947, earned a master's degree in English in 1950 and taught at
Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas (1952–53, 1970–81) and
Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana (1963–70). He wrote his first novel
The Yeller-Headed Summer with help of his war buddy, Norman Mailer. His most famous novel based on his war experiences was
The Day the Century Ended that was filmed as
Between Heaven and Hell. Gwaltney wrote teleplays for
Alfred Hitchcock Presents and
The Fugitive. ==Works==