This year for Memorial Day, we are honoring yet another one of our Greatest Generation/ kindest men the Coral Tree Crew has had the pleasure to know: Lt. Col. Walter M. Drake.
“Daring, courage, honor – that was Walter right to his last breath.”
– Cassidy
Surviving the Great Depression of 1929: from the Coal Camps of Colorado to California
Walter was born in 1923 in the coal camps of Tollerburg, Colorado – a small, hardscrabble community where families lived under the control of the mining companies, often enduring dangerous work, harsh conditions, and little personal freedom. Walter’s Dad, Ira, was a miner & his mother, Frances a camp cook.
Life in the coal camps was hard. But the conditions and isolation of the camps often fostered a deep sense of community among people struggling to survive. (See “Energy History at Yale University” to learn more.)
Heading West: Tough beginnings Helped Shape Walter into a Steady, Grounded Man.
When the Great Depression hit in 1929 & 30s & coal jobs dried up, families like Walter’s traveled west in search of stability.
The Drakes headed to California, a place that offered no guarantees, only hope.
They eventually settled in Inglewood, one of Los Angeles’s growing working-class communities, which became a haven for Depression-era migrants seeking steady work. Walter’s family was blessed when Ira was able to find work at a local Ford dealership. A precious offering of stability during a time of great uncertainty.
(You can read more about Walter’s life & family here in his family’s beautiful tribute to him.)
Born to Fly; Called to Serve
Walter knew from a young age he wanted to fly.
In 1936, when Walter was 12, the family moved again — this time to Pasadena, where he would watch P-51s fly overhead. Walter decided that was it; that was what he would do.
Those P-51s must have looked like an American Dream. Silver arrows shooting straight across blue skies. Fast, sleek, and full of purpose.
A Teenager Who Chose to Meet a Threat Head On
Walter enlisted in the air force in 1942 at age 18, a month after the Japanese military’s devastating December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
He saw a threat; and felt compelled to meet it. Like so many of his generation, Walter believed in stepping up when it mattered. He wasn’t one to sit back and wait for someone else to act.
Caption from the Register: “Walter holds a locket he carried after his fighter squadron was sent to England during World War II in Newport Beach on Sunday, June 2, 2019. The photos are of himself and his future wife, Marjorie. Walter met Marjorie in 1943 on a blind date in Pasadena while he was doing pilot training in San Diego. After Walter was sent to England with the 479th Fighter Group he and Marjorie continued writing to each other. After completing his combat tour Walter returned home in December of 1944. He and Marjorie were married a few months later on February 17, 1945.”
Serving with the 434th: Aiming High & Straight into History
Serving with the 434th Fighter Squadron, Walter flew 68 combat missions with the U.S. Army Air Forces during his three years of service during World War II.
On D-Day Walter Flew Straight into One of the Most Dangerous Missions in Military History
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Walter did whatever it took to help others — as he would do throughout his service; in the reserves; throughout this life: on the ground, in the air, you-name-it.
Walter didn’t look around when he was the skies above Normandy suddenly became thick with clouds and ask, “Who’s going to help me?” He flew straight into one of the most dangerous missions in military history after just 10 months of training — alone.
And he did it knowing: This is it. I probably won’t make it back.
That’s the kind of strength Walter and so many of our Coral Tree friends have.
‘This is the day that we came for‘
About D-Day, Whiting writes beautifully in the Register:
“Above the carnage, Drake strafed the beaches with four .50-caliber machine guns, a 20mm cannon and dropped his two bombs. Then flew behind enemy lines to strafe some more.
“Nearly out of fuel, he returned to England to gas up and get more ammo and immediately went back to Normandy to strafe again – and again.
“‘This is the day,’ the pilot said to himself, ‘that we came for.’”
[Strafing is when pilots fly low & fire their guns at targets on the ground — usually enemy troops, vehicles, or buildings. It’s fast, dangerous, and requires extreme precision and courage.]
Caption from the Register: “Walter Drake … at his home in Newport Beach on Sunday, June 2, 2019 with a model of the P-38 Lighting he flew while serving in the Army Air Force during World War II…”
Twice Decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross
Walter so heroically protected & shielded our troops during the D-Day invasion that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross – twice.
He also received the Air Medal (10 times), recognized with nine Oak Leaf Clusters for his valor.
Curious about Walter’s Honors & Medals?
The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to U.S. military personnel for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Oak leaf clusters are bronze or silver pins attached to medals to indicate that the recipient has earned the same award multiple times.
Air Medal with Nine Oak Leaf Clusters: Walter received the Air Medal 10 times — the initial medal plus nine oak leaf clusters, each representing an additional act of aerial merit or heroic achievement.
(THE IMAGE BELOW/ON THE RIGHT is a DFC. (Public Domain.) OAK LEAF CLUSTERS not pictured.
Thank you, Walter; and all the warriors-for-peace.
Thank you to all who serve.
To all the veterans – we see you.
To those no longer with us – we miss you.
To those on active duty – thank you. Please come home.
Aim High.
“In what is likely the most frequently re-printed image in the Air National Guard Heritage Collection, a P-51 Mustang from the 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flies over Normandy, France, during D-Day in World War II, June 6, 1944. Today, the 107th is a fighter squadron and is, as it was then, a component of the Michigan Air National Guard. The 107th will be participating in commemoration ceremonies in France this June – the first missions in France for the 107th since the end of World War II.” – DVIDS (Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)
What Was D-Day Like for Pilots Like Walter?
A few highlights from Whiting’s 2019 Register piece will give you a taste:
“In the darkness before the dawn, not even pilots know their destination. All they know is what everyone knows on both sides of the English Channel… This is D-Day.”
“With the smell of aviation fuel heavy in the air, Drake nodded toward his crew chief as he conducted his own final check of the fragile machine that was to take him into one of the most important battles in history.”
Whiting also succinctly explains why D-Day & the heroics of men like Walter still matter today:
“D-Day opened a second front line for the Allies in Europe, launched the liberation of France and built the foundation for the end of the war in Europe.”
[Here’s the link, again, to this beautiful article that proves real journalism still reigns supreme! https://www.ocregister.com/2019/06/05/walter-drake-was-awarded-2-distinguished-flying-crosses-for-heroism-during-world-war-ii-but-nothing-compared-to-his-d-day-battle/]
Like so many of our Coral Tree friends — and men and women of his generation — Walter speaks with joy. He was someone who embodied humility & a shared sense to work for the greater good.
Humility Earned: “It Was up to You”
Walter wasn’t flashy about his war-time heroics or time with the 434th.
Upon meeting him, you might not guess that he had flown fighter planes straight into enemy territory. Or that on one of his missions, he was the only member of his squadron who made it back to base.
(See this Lyon Museum Article for details: https://lyonairmuseum.org/blog/pilot-walter-drake-visits-p-51-days-sept-3-4-2010/)
In a 2021 interview with KABC, Walter told reporters:
“I just love to fly … You’re up there all alone and everything you did. It was up to you. Nobody helped you.”
The last two lines: ‘It was up to you. Nobody helped you,’ say it all!
(You can read & watch their tribute & interview with Walter here: https://abc7.com/post/santa-ana-lyon-air-museum-remembers-longtime-docent-lieutenant-colonel-walter-drake/15908485/)
Anyone who knows Walter (or watches the video above) can clearly see that when Walter told the KABC crew, “Nobody helped you,” it wasn’t with self-pity.
Like so many of our Coral Tree friends — and men and women of his generation — Walter speaks with joy. He was someone who embodied humility & a shared sense to work for the greater good.
He was, also, someone whose humility was genuine: earned through lived experience.
Anyone who has experienced as much loss as our active service members & veterans do, knows that no matter how skilled you are — whether you’re a pilot, frogman, medic, etc, — everyone who makes it home is lucky.
“These endured all and gave all that justice among nations might prevail and that mankind might enjoy freedom and inherit peace.”
– ONE OF THE INSCRIPTIONS AT THE MEMORIAL CHAPEL IN COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER
Walter’s Code for Life: ‘Be Honest, Work Hard, be Kind’
A quote from Walter that the Lyon Museum shared in their January tribute that I love:
“The message I would leave [for future generations] is to be honest, work hard, and be kind to people.”
Hard to put it better than that.
(Thank you, again, to the Lyon Museum for sharing this beautiful message & photo from precious Walter.)
A Beloved Docent with a Quiet Presence & Big Heart
Walter volunteered at the Lyon Museum for almost two decades — well past his 100th birthday — sharing his stories, presence and teaching anyone who was curious about history.
Thank You to a Gentle Man of Steel & Stillness
Walter lived with more gentleness & stillness than most of us could ever hope for.
The Coral Tree crew loved him. Especially, perhaps, Neide & Cassidy, who spent the most time with him.
He really didn’t need much – mostly just a companion to play cards with! And drive him to his beloved air museum.
Thank you, Walter; and all the warriors-for-peace. Thank you to all who serve.
To all the veterans – we see you.
To those no longer with us – we miss you.
To those on active duty – thank you for your service.
Thank you for your sacrifice. Please come home.
Aim High.
Visit Walter’s beloved Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana
Lyon Museum Contact page with visiting hours & everything you need to know to plan your trip.
Read
- A beautiful article on Walter in the Register: ~ David Whiting’s “On the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Newport Beach resident recalls the largest seaborne invasion in history” ~ I especially recommend for those of us not familiar with military stats/language/jargon. Includes beautiful quotes from Walter and Whiting takes you step-by-step through what the actual events of D-Day were like for Walter and others. There are also some really beautiful photos, etc.
- About D-Day
- A beautiful tribute to Walter from his family
- The Lyon Air Museums’ excellent article “Pilot Walter Drake Visits for P-51 Days”
- KABC’s “Santa Ana Air Museum Remembers Longtime Docent Who Passed Away after Decades of Service
- The Lyon Museum’s beautiful tribute to Walter on their IG page (If you look for their January 29 post this year, you’ll be able to read it.)
Gallery
Other Coral Tree Veteran-Heros, Greatest Generation Friends & Family
- Cassidy’s Corner | Shortbread and Brawn
- Cassidy’s Corner | The Frogman, a Prince
- Our Friends | John Eilertson: A Pilot’s Story
- Did You Know That Walt Whitman Served as a Nurse during the Civil War?
- An Interview with Jean Watt: What Can I Do? A Life of Service & Compassionate Action
- Wisdom from Our Elders: An Interview with Our Friend Bob Cogan, 96-years-old
- Our Friends | Doris Felman ~ The Extraordinary Life of an American Woman
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