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Adapted from "Commander Walter M. Vincent, United States Navy," [biography, dated 22 January 1956] in Biographies, 20th century collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
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  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • Korean Conflict 1950-1954
  • World War II 1939-1945
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Walter Michael Vincent

28 September 1914 – 1 February 1994

Walter Michael Vincent was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on 28 September 1914, son of Louis and Celia (Duquaine) Vincent. He attended East High School, Green Bay, Wisconsin, St. Norbert College, DePere, Wisconsin, and in 1936 received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On 26 October 1936 he was appointed an Aviation Cadet in the US Naval Reserve, and on 1 November 1937 was commissioned Ensign, USNR. He subsequently advanced in rank, attaining that of Commander, to date from 20 July 1945, having transferred to the Regular Navy in May 1940.

Upon receiving his appointment in 1936, he was ordered to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, for flight training. Designated Naval Aviator on 1 November 1937, he was assigned the same month to Patrol Squadron THREE, serving as Assistant Material and Communication Officer and Maintenance Officer. In July1939 he joined Patrol Squadron FORTY TWO for duty as Flight Officer. He was entitled to the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of the Navy Unit Commendation awarded that squadron, for outstanding services in the Northern Asiatic-Pacific Area during the period 1 June to 1 August 1942.

Between November 1942 and March 1945 he had duty as Instructor Chief Flight Instructor, Assistant Training Officer and Air Operations Officer with Bombing Squadron Operational Training Unit ONE. For the remaining period of the war he served as Air Operations Officer of USS Hornet, and is entitled to the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded that aircraft carrier. Detached from Hornet in October 1945, he reported the next month as Commanding Officer of Carrier Aircraft Service Unit (F) NINE.

He was a student at the General Line School, Newport, Rhode Island, from June 1946 to May 1947, after which he had duty as Chief Staff Officer to the Commander Naval Air Bases, Seventeenth Naval District, Kodiak, Alaska. In November 1949 he was assigned to the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, DC, where he remained until August 1952. He next reported as Chief Staff Officer on the staff of Commander Fleet Air Wing FOURTEEN, operating in the Korean area, and serve for six weeks as Acting Wing Commander.

In August 1954 he reported as Special Assistant Congressional Liaison, to the Director of the Contracts Division, Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, DC. Commander Vincent died 1 February 1994.

In addition to the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Commander Vincent had the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star; the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Services Medal; the United Nations Service Medal.

[END]
Published: Wed Feb 27 15:14:16 EST 2019