AIR FORCE
1943-1945

John B. “Jack” Walters was born in Rockford, IL, on January 8, 1921. His family moved to Cedar Rapids, and his father deserted the family. In 1932, his mother died; Jack’s sister went to live with an aunt, and Jack was raised by his grandmother. From the time he was seven years old, he worked for every penny he earned selling pop, yo-yo’s, puppets, newspapers, and other items. After graduation from Franklin High School, he enrolled at Coe College, and during that time, he became a member of the ROTC program to learn about aviation. In 1943, in economics class, a classmate came in waving the orders that Jack was being called into Active Service in WWII. His girlfriend, Ann Louise, turned to him and asked when they were getting married, and that Sunday, on February 14, 1943, Valentine’s Day, they were married. Jack served in the Army Air Corp from February of 1943 until November of 1945. He piloted a B-26 Martin Marauder, a twin-engine medium bomber, that could get up to 30,000 feet high with a maximum bomb load of 4,000 lbs. It was often called “The Widow Maker” and “The Flying Coffin,” as it was difficult to fly. Jack flew thirty-one missions from France to Germany. He was shot at but never was hit. After the war, Jack returned home and graduated from Coe in 1946, and he began working for National Life (Insurance) of Vermont. His family consists of Jim (1946), Martha (1948), Tom (1951), and Mary (1954). The family was very busy, but Jack and Ann traveled to all fifty states, and their children accompanied them often. They enjoyed a cabin and boating in McGregor, IA, on the Mississippi, and they hosted two foreign exchange students. Jack has always said that he has lived to be 103 because of “my great kids,” but working hard, telling the truth, discipline, church, and giving to others has kept him with us today. A day at the Ringling Brothers’ Circus and a good gin-martini helps, too.

Honored by: Jim and Janet Walters, Martha and Dave Booth, Tom and Sue Walters, and Mary and Scott Malcolm