In Memory of
U.S. Army Air Corps Captain
Clifford Dean Walters
Fort Pierre, South Dakota
Stanley County
October 24, 1921 – July 18, 1946
Killed in Plane Crash in the Gulf of Panama

Clifford Dean Walters was born in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, on October 24, 1921. His parents were Jacob Maclin Walters and Coryl Leta Fluharty Walters. He had two brothers, George Law Walters and J.M. Walters, Jr. Clifford attended schools in Fort Pierre and Pierre. He received some additional training at Brookings, South Dakota. Clifford married Ruth Bartels on February 21, 1944, in Pierre. They had no children. Clifford enjoyed being at home and working with horses. 

Clifford enlisted in the National Guard on June 1, 1940, at Brookings, South Dakota. He was inducted into the Active Federal Service February 10, 1941. Clifford was honorably discharged February 15, 1943 at Craig Field, Alabama to accept a commission. He was appointed 2^nd Lieutenant, Air Reserve, Army of the United States on February 16, 1943, and accepted and entered active duty on the same date. Clifford was assigned to the 360 Fighter Squadron of the 356^th Fighter Group, in the 8^th Air Force. Lieutenant Walters was given the squadron duty of wing pilot in October of 1943, and was promoted to 1^st Lieutenant January 1944, and assigned Element Leader in April 1944. Lieutenant Walters was promoted to Captain after flying 64 missions. He served proudly in the European African Middle Eastern Campaign. 

Captain Clifford Dean Walters died in the Gulf of Panama on July 18, 1946, while serving with Headquarters Squadron, 100^th Army Air Force Base Unit. His plane was reported missing on July 18, 1946, while on an aerial mission to Talara, Peru.  An official letter dated 27 November 1946 to his father reads in part: (sic)

It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death
of your son, Captain Clifford D. Walters, who was previously reported missing on 18 July 1946.

The location at which your son’s plane became missing is approximately 100 miles from the nearest land.  Had they managed to clear the storms and reach the mainland or an island or survive a collision or a crash into the sea and reach land, they would certainly have been rescued, for the islands and the mainland are well populated.

Considering the hazardous weather, the fact that comprehensive air and sea searches were carried on for five weeks in addition to the length of time that has elapsed since he became missing, it is logical to conclude that Captain Walters was killed on 18 July 1946 in the vicinity of the Gulf of Panama.

I realize the anxiety you have suffered since he was first reported missing and deeply regret the sorrow this later report brings you. May the knowledge that he died while in the service of his country be a source of sustaining comfort.

Sincerely yours,

Edward Witskil
Major General
The Adjutant General of the Army

Captain Walters' was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster on three different dates: December 1943, January 1944, and February 1944. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross in February 1944, and the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in May 1944.

Survivors of Captain Walters include his brother, J.M. of Mobile, Alabama; his widow, Ruth Bartels Walters Dean, Rapid City, South Dakota; and his cousin, Bette Reumann, who currently lives in Presho, South Dakota. Clifford’s brother, George, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away as this profile was being completed. 

Captain Walter's cousin Bette Reumann says,

Clifford was adored by his mom, and I remember the pride that she showed as         
she displayed the plaque with his Blue Star on it (which was a common practice during  
the war). When he was killed, she was sent a plaque with the Gold Star on it (showing he
had been killed). News on the radio often talked about “Gold Star Mothers-------.”

This entry was respectfully submitted by Kari Anderson and Nicki Rieger, 7^th grade, Stanley County Middle School, Fort Pierre, South Dakota, February 25, 2002. Mrs. Bette Reumann, Presho, South Dakota, cousin of Captain Clifford Dean Walters provided information for this entry.