1942— Duard (Coach) Walker began his first semester at Milligan at eighteen years old. He was quite an athlete, earning varsity letters in football, basketball, and tennis. Walker transferred to Milligan following a year of playing baseball at ETSU, but Milligan was unable to field a baseball team in 1943 as a result of student involvement in World War II.
Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor less than a year prior to Walker’s first semester, and Milligan College was already involved in the war effort. Milligan had adopted the Navy V-12 program which could be compared to ROTC, and some students and faculty had already enlisted.
The Stampede was filled with pages of updates on the war and Milligan’s involvement. Letters from Captains and G.I.s encouraging students to join up were published. Articles expressing sympathy for the families of fallen alumni were printed.
On Tuesday, April 27, 1943 eleven Milligan college students reported for active duty after being called in from the Tennessee Army Reserves. World War Two raged on, and by July 1 of that year, Walker and his brother Norman (a player on Milligan’s undefeated football team in 1940) had enlisted.
Walker returned to Milligan in the fall as a part of the U.S. Navy V-12 Program. Walker continued his athletic career while participating in the Navy V-12 program, earning a varsity letter in football.
Sitting in his easy chair, he proudly told me the story of scoring a touchdown against Vanderbilt. According to Walker, the Navy basketball team also beat Duke and UNC back to back away that same year. This is confirmed by both the Tar Heels Times and goduke.statsgeek.com down to the date. Judging by Walker’s memory, one would never know he turned 94 on October 13.
By February of 1943, Walker was sent to Plattsburg, New York, where he was stationed at Lake Champlain. He served in the Navy for three years, most off which he spent aboard the U.S.S. Newberry. Walker was an ensign in the amphibious forces and advanced to lieutenant (J.G.) before returning to school.
“We lost 2,000 men that first day,” Walker emotionally recounted in great detail concerning his participation the battle of Iwo Jima. During his service to the country, he also participated in the battle of Okinawa and spent time in the Philippines and the Solomon Islands.
Walker returned to Milligan as a student in 1946. He tearfully recalled that his brother was not so fortunate. Norman passed away when his plane was shot down during the war.
Walker met his wife Carolyn upon returning to Milligan. The two were married Aug. 14, 1947 and both graduated in the spring of 1948. “Only been married for 71 years,” Walker said.
Walker and his wife spent a short time in New York while he was in graduate school before returning to the area to coach and teach at Milligan.
Since he began as a coach in 1951, Walker has never left. He retired in 1994, but he still serves as an Elder at Hopwood Christian Church on campus and regularly attends sporting events at Milligan. He remains one of the Buffaloes’ biggest fans and is likely one of the last living men to have historic ties to Milligan as far back as World War II.
World War II deeply affected the Milligan community. Many members paid the ultimate sacrifice, but in true Milligan fashion, the college set an example for servant leadership and began a legacy Milligan College still holds dear today. As homecoming weekend quickly approaches, we remember those alumni who have served our country and our college community through the generations.