Laura M. Walker—April 2006
Shipment Honoree
Army 1st Lt., 24, of Texas; assigned to
the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 555th
Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Provisional), Fort
Lewis, Wash.; killed Aug. 18, 2005 when an
improvised explosive device detonated underneath her
Humvee during ground assault convoy operations in
Kandahar, Afghanistan. Also killed was Sgt. Robert
G. Davis.
1LT Laura Margaret Walker
Source:
www.west-point.org
Laura Margaret Walker was born into a military family on June
16, 1981. Her education included ten different
schools, living in 18 different cities, and three
different countries, culminating with her graduation
in 1999 from SHAPE American High School in Belgium.
Laura was active in Club Beyond, Model United
Nations, and earned varsity letters in soccer,
basketball, and volleyball. She belonged to the
National Honor Society and was selected to the "All
Europe" soccer team her senior year. Laura attended
the United States Military Academy at West Point
where she excelled in leadership positions such as
Cadet 1SG and CSM and was elected as class secretary
for the class of 2003. While a cadet, she graduated
from Air Assault School at Fort Polk in June 2001,
served as a summer intern with the Senate Veterans
Affairs Committee, played for the United States
Junior Women's Handball Team in the Pan American
Games, and was team captain of the West Point
Women's Handball Team, leading them to a national
collegiate championship. Although she was offered
the opportunity to pursue a position with the
Olympic handball team, Laura chose to serve with
soldiers. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in
Political Science and Systems Engineering on May 31,
2003 and was commissioned a 2LT in the Corps of
Engineers.
2LT Walker arrived at Fort Lewis in January of 2004, was
assigned to the 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade,
and deployed to Iraq in support of the 4th Infantry
Division until April 2004. Laura was reassigned as a
vertical construction platoon leader in the 864th
Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) upon returning to
Fort Lewis. She re-deployed with 1st Platoon, Bravo
Company, 864th ECB (H) to Afghanistan in March of
2005. 1LT Walker's platoon expertly constructed
force protection, mobility, and life support
facilities, and performed quality assurance for
local national contracts at Forward Operating Bases
Salerno and Guyan. In July 2005, 1LT Walker was
selected to be the Executive officer of the 864th
battalion Headquarters' Company. En route to her new
position, she was assigned to a two-month tour as
the Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs Officer. She
wrote several news articles for the Task Force that
appeared in several newspapers, to include The
Afghanistan Freedom Watch, Defend America, and The
Northwest Guardian. Laura was the editor of the Task
Force newsletter, The Pacemaker, which is
distributed to all of the Soldiers in the Task
Force, as well as their family members and
Pacemaker's higher echelons.
Laura was killed in action on 18 August 2005 in Delak,
Afghanistan. She proudly wore the 4th Infantry
Division combat patch on her right shoulder, a
distinction she shared with both of her grandfathers
from their service with the Division in both World
War II and Vietnam. Her awards and decorations
include: the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army
Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal,
National Defense Service Medal, Global War on
Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal,
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon,
Combat Action Badge, and Air Assault Badge
Although Laura was an exemplary officer and loved West Point
and the soldiers she led, these were but a part of
her huge capacity for life. She was a strong person,
spiritually, physically and mentally. These
qualities inspired others to "play up" in all areas.
Laura valued family and friends, and fostered a
sense of community wherever she found herself.
Loyalty -- Laura was all about loyalty and
traditions. She loved music and had a gifted voice.
She was an accomplished and prolific writer. She
treasured time spent with her sister and brothers.
She loved learning to cook with her mother, and
shared her skill with others. She enjoyed talking to
her father on long, slow runs. She was a certified
aerobics and yoga instructor. Her continued interest
in soccer was reflected in her play with the local
club in Tacoma. She shared a deep love for all the
holidays, especially Christmas (which starts in
July) with her family. Passion -- Laura was all
about passion and dedication. She and Ed Peskie were
to be engaged this summer after several years of
sharing life together. She loved God and was growing
in Christ daily. 1LT Laura Walker was a good friend
and inspiration to all who knew her; we miss her
terribly. Laura is survived by her mother, Valerie
Walker, her father COL Keith Walker, her sister,
Audrey, her brothers, Duncan, Brian Walker. Sorrow
knows no bounds for Ed, the family, and the
countless lives she touched. We ask that just as we
all benefited from the goodness of her life, let
there be continued goodness long past this transient
painful visitation by death. Continue to hold her in
your hearts and minds, and honor her by living life
to its fullest.
LAURA’S FAMILY ASKS THAT
ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PICTURES, WRITINGS, NOTES,
RECOLLECTIONS, AND OTHER MEMORIES OF LAURA, SEND
COPIES TO KEITH AND VALERIE WALKER AT EITHER 301
Sheridan Road, Fort Bliss, TX 79906, OR
MITWOCENTS@AOL.COM.
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