Walter L. Stewart Jr.

Walter Lewis Stewart Jr. was born in Camden, New Jersey on 17 July 1944, the son of Walter L. Stewart Sr. and Esther (Heil) Stewart. He was raised and educated in Glassboro, and he graduated from Franklinville's Delsea Regional High School in 1962. His family subsequently moved to Quakertown, Pennsylvania, Stewart was subsequently selected for officer training and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. ==Start of career==

From December 1967 to July 1969, Stewart served at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, where his assignments included training officer (December 1967 to February 1968), maintenance officer (February to April 1968), assistant family housing officer (April to May 1968), and a second posting as maintenance officer (May 1968 to July 1969). He was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1968. Stewart served in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and his postings included Section Commander, 121st Aviation Company (July to August 1969), Assistant Platoon Commander, 121st Aviation Company (August to October 1969), Platoon Commander, 121st Aviation Company (October to December 1969), Assistant Platoon Commander, 121st Aviation Company (December 1969 to February 1970), and Platoon Commander, 162nd Aviation Company (February to August 1970). After returning to the United States, he was posted to Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served as executive officer of Company D, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Battalion from August to December 1970. From December 1970 to January 1971, he was plans officer on the staff of Third United States Army's Aircraft Maintenance Brigade. He was the brigade's assistant plans officer from January to July 1971. From July 1971 to January 1972, he completed his regular army service as the brigade's assistant operation and training officer. ==Continued career==

From January 1972 to July 1973, Stewart was assigned to the United States Army Reserve Control Group. In his civilian career, he was a resident of Bernville, Pennsylvania, where he became the owner and operator of a tour and travel company. In July 1973, he was promoted to captain and joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His initial assignment was commander of Service Platoon, Troop N, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division in Lancaster. In April 1975 he was assigned as executive officer of Company A, 28th Aviation Battalion, 28th Infantry Division in Harrisburg. Stewart commanded Company A, 28th Aviation Battalion from October 1975 to November 1977, and he was promoted to major in November 1977. From November November 1977 to May 1981 he served as the 28th Aviation Battalion's plans, operations and training officer (S-3). In 1981, he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He served as the battalion's executive officer from May 1981 to September 1982. From September 1982 to September 1984, Stewart served as the aviation training officer at the Pennsylvania National Guard's State Area Command, and he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1982. From September 1984 to September 1986, Stewart commanded the 28th Aviation Battalion. He commanded the 28th Aviation Brigade from September 1986 to February 1991. In October 1986, he received promotion to colonel. In 1990, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Albright College. ==Later career==

In February 1991, Stewart was appointed as Pennsylvania's assistant adjutant general for army, and he was promoted to brigadier general in May 1991. Following his military retirement, Stewart authored numerous magazine articles and newspaper editorials on military readiness and defense policy. In addition, he authored a book about his Vietnam War service, 2023's ''Jefferson's Angels: How ending the draft doomed the American Republic''. He also took part in veterans' activities, including speaking at events to honor veterans of World War II. ==Awards==

Federal awards Stewart's federal awards and decorations included: • Silver Star • Defense Superior Service Medal • Legion of Merit • Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster • Bronze Star Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster • Meritorious Service Medal • Air Medal with numeral 31 • Army Commendation Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster • Army Good Conduct Medal • Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal • National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star • Vietnam Service Medal • Armed Forces Reserve Medal • Army Service Ribbon • Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon • Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device • Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with 1 silver star • Master Army Aviator Badge • Overseas Service Bar (2) State awards Among Stewart's state awards were: • Pennsylvania Service Ribbon • Pennsylvania 20 Year Medal • Pennsylvania MG Thomas. R. White Medal • Pennsylvania GEN Thomas. J. Stewart Medal ==Dates of rank==

Stewart's dates of rank included: • Major General, Army National Guard, 22 June 1995 • Brigadier General, Army National Guard, 15 May 1991 • Colonel, Army National Guard, 1 October 1986 • Lieutenant Colonel, Army National Guard, 3 December 1982 • Major, Army National Guard, 22 February 1977 • Captain, Army National Guard, 14 July 1973 • First Lieutenant, Army of the United States, 4 December 1969 • First Lieutenant, United States Army Reserve, 3 December 1969 • First Lieutenant, Army of the United States, 4 December 1968 • Second Lieutenant, United States Army Reserve, 4 December 1967 ==References==