William S. Walker
At just 30 years old, Walker showed composure and courage during the most critical hours faced by Task Force Hogan.
William S. Walker
Major William S. Walker was Colonel Hogan’s executive officer. On 21 December 1944, after the Colonel disappeared, Walker took temporary command of the Task Force.
Aware of the danger, he decided to turn back toward the north, but ran into the rear guard of the 116th Panzer Division in the village of Beffe, then caught in the attack on Hotton.
He was almost certainly the first to understand that the men of the Task Force would spend Christmas surrounded by the Germans.
On 22 December, the Task Force finally found its commander, Colonel Hogan, in the village of Marcouray.
At only 30 years old, Walker showed courage and calm under pressure, helping maintain the men’s cohesion during the darkest hours of their story.
A name that also deserves to be remembered alongside that of Colonel Hogan.
