Name: Jack Edwin WALKER
Rank / Rating: RM2-Radioman Second Class
Service #: 627 81 51
DOB: Jun 14, 1923
From: Anderson, Indiana
Parents: Richard E. & Helen Doris Mann Walker
Went Aboard: Sep 01, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 22 years, 1 months, 16 days
Spouse: Ruby L. Durgan Walker
Children: Cathy
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Admin
Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025
WALKER, Jack E
Radioman 2nd Class Jack Edwin Walker was born June 14, 1923, in Anderson, Madison Co., Indiana.
He registered for the draft June 30, 1942. On his registration card he listed his age as 19. For the person who would always know his address he listed Nell Walker, as the same address.
He enlisted in the Navy on December 9, 1942, in Indianapolis, IN.
Jack received his navy training through the V-6 program for enlisted men. He advanced from S2c (Seaman 2nd class) to RM3c at Naval Training School (Radio), Miami University, Oxford, OH, on July 13, 1943 and the same day was transferred to the personnel distribution center in Pleasanton, CA.
Jack reported aboard USS Indianapolis CA-35 on September 1, 1943. He participated in eight of the ten major battles for which Indianapolis was awarded ten battle stars.
Indy returned to Mare Island for repairs from damages caused by a kamikaze attack on March 31, 1945. Captain McVay gave the crew a 22 day leave. Jack traveled home to Indianapolis for a special reason. Jack married his sweetheart, Ruby Durgan, on May 25, 1945, in Madison, Montour Co., Pennsylvania. She returned with Jack to Mare Island in California. Since the war in Europe had ended, most thought that Indy would not leave for duty again. Life was good.
The crew was suddenly called to return to Mare Island and board Indy for a secret mission. On July 1, 1945, Jack was advanced to RM2c, just 2 weeks before Indy departed Mare Island.
Some wives remained at Mare Island to await the return of their husbands. Ruby returned home to IN. Ruby would send Jack a letter telling him that she thought she was expecting a baby, but wasn't sure. She was going to the doctor. He told her to let him know when she found out. After she confirmed the pregnancy, she wrote to Jack telling him the good news. Jack never received that letter. The letter was returned marked “undeliverable”. Ruby moved back home with her parents in Pennsylvania and gave birth to a baby girl.
Jack's name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously.
A cenotaph was placed in Anderson Memorial Park, Anderson, Madison Co., IN.
Jack, you are not forgotten.
Jack's daughter, Cathy, was born Feb 21, 1946. She died at age 64 on Feb 27, 2010 and is buried in Anderson Memorial Park, Anderson, Madison Co., IN.
Source CreditsIN State Board of Health, Anderson, Madison Co.; Birth Certificate, Reg. #30818, Local #311; citing birth of Jack Edwin Walker on 14 June 1923.
Marriage Certificate, PA, Madison, Montour Co.; PA Marriage Index at Ancestry.
Navy Department, Casualty Section, Office of Public Information (1946): Combat Connected Naval Casualties, WWII, by States; Vol. AL-MO; IN.
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103880074/jack_edwin-walker: accessed February 26, 2026), memorial page for RM2 Jack Edwin Walker (14 Jun 1923-30 Jul 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 103880074, citing Anderson Memorial Park, Anderson, Madison County, IN.
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132750495/cathy_a-hodson: accessed February 26, 2026), memorial page for Cathy A Taylor Hodson (21 Feb 1946-27 Feb 2010), Find a Grave Memorial ID 132750495, citing Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, IN.
Photos / Clippings / Other
Rank / Rating: RM2-Radioman Second Class
