Walter T. Achramowicz

Walter Theodore Achramowicz
Nickname	Ack Whitey
Born	(1922-05-02)May 2, 1922
Died	April 8, 1977(1977-04-08) (aged 54)
Place of birth	Ipswich, Massachusetts
Place of death	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force
Years of service	1942–1964
Rank	Major
Unit	see below
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal Bronze Star Medal

Walter Theodore Achramowicz (2 May 1922 in Ipswich, Massachusetts – 8 April 1977 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) was an American retired United States Air Force Major.

Biography

Early life

Walter was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts on May 2, 1922.

Military Service & assignments

• November 18, 1942: Enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces at Presque Isle Air Force Base in Maine (ASN: 11093119).
• 1944: Commissioned (ASN: O-820932) and promoted to Second Lieutenant
• July 16, 1944 - August 2, 1944: 555th Fighter Training Squadron, 496th Fighter Training Group, Eighth Air Force
• August 2, 1944 - July 1945: 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force
• October 6, 1944: Promoted to First Lieutenant
• July 1945 - July 20, 1945: 350th Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force
• May 31, 1964: Retired from Military service with the rank of Major

He crashed four times during his military career, he survived all of them.

He was the only officer given Letter of Commendation from the Japanese government for aiding Japan Air Self Defense Force, signed by Lt. Gen. Misoo Mutsumae, Commander JASDF in June, 1960.

He had nearly 23 years active duty in the service after attending college at Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

Personal life

He married Lavelle Roberts and together they had two children.

Death

He died of unknown causes on April 8, 1977 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was buried in the Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City.

Awards & decorations

• Pilot Badge
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Air Medal
• Bronze Star Medal
• Korean Service Medal
• Presidential Unit Citation
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal
• East Asia - Middle East Campaign Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• United Nations Service Medal
• Air Force Longevity Service Award
• Strike Command Commendation

Sources

• http://www.cieldegloire.com/014_achramowicz_w_t.php
• http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/220896
• http://www.station131.co.uk/55th/Pilots/38th%20Pilots/Achramowicz%20Walter%20T%20Lt.htm
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41202425/walter-t.-achramowicz
• https://www.fold3.com/page/629754171-walter-achramowicz-1922/facts
• https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=929&mtch=2&cat=all&tf=F&q=Achramowicz&bc=&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=11121&rlst=6172,11121
• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V84S-KG1