Title: Charles H. Walker Autobiography
Dates: 1990s
Collection Number: Mss 10807
Quantity: .25 feet
Abstract: Copy of the memoir “Combat Officer” written by Walker about his life during World War II and scanned photograph copy of Walker. FOR REFERENCE USE ONLY.
Provenance: The State Historical Society of North Dakota acquired the autobiography from Charles Walker in December 2000.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code or an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements are needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
Transfer: No materials from this collection have been transferred.
Biographical Sketch
From Walker’s Obituary in the Pembina New Era, November 5, 2009
Charles Harris Walker, age 89, of Pembina passed away Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the VA Hospital, Fargo, ND. A memorial service [was] held Saturday November 7, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Pembina Pioneer United Methodist Church, Pembina…
Charles was born May 5, 1920, in Pembina to Gordon and Gladys (Harris) Walker.
In 1941, while attending NDSU he met and married Lorraine Tweeden. He served in the U.S. Army with the 164th Infantry in the Pacific Campaign, earning the rank of Major. Chuck was the recipient of two silver stars, one with a two oak leaf cluster, a bronze star, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with three bronze stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with one bronze star. After the war, he farmed in the Pembina area. He later spent ten years as a bush pilot in Canada. He married Hetty McKelvie (Koch) and resided in Pembina since 1970. Charles served twelve years as Pembina County Commissioner. His love of life included flying, reading, gardening, and writing and publishing three historically accurate books about the military and pioneering in the Red River Valley.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Hetty; children, Karen Walker, Fargo, Laurie (Tom) Schulz, Crystal, ND, Dawn (Dean Leas) Walker, Boulder City, NV, Shelly (Don) Bjerk, Nucla, CO, John (Cathi Sharp) Walker, Grand Junction, CO; sisters-in-law, Paulien (Don) Bainbridge , Atikokan Ontario, Mabel Koch, Winnipeg Manitoba; grandchildren: Ryan (Kayla) Schulz, Lakeville, MN, Katie Schulz, Plymouth, MN, Justin Schulz and Flancee, Lindsay Gilleshammer, Crystal, ND, Krissy Schulz, Crystal, ND, Jesse Bjerk and Stacy Bjerk, Nucla, CO, Rett Sharp, Pembroke, GA, Rori Higman, Rowan Higman, and Rylor Walker, all of Grand Junction, CO; great grandson, Nathan Gilleshammer, Crystal, ND, niece Donna Sue Wilkins of Kansas City MO.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jack Wilkins, niece Cara Jo, son Gary, and daughter Paula.
Military Rites: Kern-Thompson Post #77, Pembina American Legion.
Box / Folder Inventory
Box 1:
1 Scanned Photograph copy of Charles Walker
2 Copy of Manuscript “Combat Officer”
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