Richard F. Walton served in the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant with Company E, 335th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division, 9th Army during World War II. On April 11, 1945, he advanced to a position within 50 yards of enemy tanks protecting a foot bridge in Hanover, Germany, and engaged in an exchange of fire. He was killed by hostile file, but inspired the other members of the unit to close on the bridge, forcing the enemy tanks to retreat and the bridge was captured intact. He was awarded the Silver Star.
