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Claiborne Walker

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Lieutenant
Claiborne Walker
Graduation photo from the U.S. Naval Academy Yearbook, 1921
Personal information
Full nameClaiborne Jay Walker
National teamUnited States
Born(1899-09-21)September 21, 1899
DiedApril 26, 1927(1927-04-26) (aged 27)
Shanghai, China
Resting placeMountain View Cemetery, Walla Walla, Washington
46.04440, -118.32670
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy
EmployerUnited States Navy
Other interestsRifle shooting
Sport
SportFencing
EventSabre
University teamUnited States Naval Academy
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals1920 Summer Olympics

Claiborne Jay Walker (September 21, 1899 – April 26, 1927) was an American fencer and naval Lieutenant. Walker competed in the individual and team sabre events at the 1920 Summer Olympics.[1][2][3] Walker entered the United States Naval Academy in 1917 where he received various awards as a fencer.[4] Walker died aged 27 of a gunshot wound while serving overseas in Shanghai, China.

Biography

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Walker was reportedly born in Oregon,[5] and grew up in Walla Walla, Washington.[6]

1920 Olympics

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Main article: Fencing at the 1920 Summer Olympics – Men's sabre

Walker was selected to compete for the United States in Fencing at the 1920 Summer Olympics after distinguishing himself in the sport during his time at the United States Naval Academy.[4] While at the academy, he was part of the team from Annapolis that won the intercollegiate fencing championships. After proceeding through three elimination meets, Walker joined teammates George Calnan (’20) alternate individual foil, Roscoe L Bowman (’21) individual and team saber, Edwin G. Fullinwider (‘21) individual and team saber, and Frederick J. Cunningham (‘20) individual and team saber who were also ensigns at the Naval Academy.[7][8]

The US Olympic Fencing team sailed to Antwerp on the USS Frederick (ACR-8). They placed fencing mats and practiced on the quarterdeck for the duration of the journey,[7] under the eye of sabre coach George Heintz Jr., who was also the fencing master at the Naval Academy.[9]

At the Olympics in Antwerp, Walker competed in the individual and team sabre events.[10] One of his winning preliminary bouts was against Nedo Nadi, who would go on to win the gold medal.[8] A left handed fencer,[8] Walker decisively defeated Nadi 3—0.[7] In the quarterfinals, he won two bouts and lost four, and did not advance to the semifinals.[11] The United States would go on to place fourth in the team sabre competition, the highest the U.S. had placed previously.[8]

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Walker was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis on June 20, 1917, as a member of the Academy's class of 1920.[6][8] Recognizable for his blonde hair, he was known as "C.J" or "Bright Eyes" among his peers.[12] At the academy, he participated in both the fencing and rifle squad teams.[7]

In 1918, he was listed as one of the midshipmen taking part in a practice cruise on the USS Missouri (BB-11) as part of the Third Class of the US Naval Academy.[13] In 1919, he took part in his final practice cruise as a First Class midshipman serving on the USS North Dakota (BB-29).[14] Later that year, he formally began duties on the battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-9) based in Philadelphia as a machinist.[15]

On June 5, 1920, Walker officially became an ensign in the United States Navy.[16][17]

In 1920, the year of the Olympics, Walker was assigned to duty stations on the USS Reina Mercedes at the Naval Academy, and then to the Navy rifle team at Camp Perry. Later he was deployed to the Recruiting Station New York.[18] He would formally graduate from the Naval Academy in the class of 1921.[7]

On June 5, 1923, Walker advanced to the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade).[19] That year, Walker went into service on the USS Tennessee (BB-43).[20]

In 1924 and 1925, newly appointed Lieutenant Walker served duties on the USS Canopus (AS-9) and the destroyer USS McCormick as part of the Asiatic Fleet.[21][22] In December 1926, Walker was nominated to rise to the rank of Lieutenant in the Navy, to come into effect on June 5, 1927.[23]

Final tour of duty

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The USS McCormick where Walker served as Lieutenant (junior grade)

In April 1927, Walker was serving as Lieutenant (junior grade)[24] aboard the destroyer USS McCormick[25] on a tour of duty in Asia.[26][27] Based in Cavite City,[28] the USS McCormick and the Asiatic Fleet aimed to reduce tension in the East China Sea, as the region was on the cusp of the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War. On March 24, the Nanking incident sent greater numbers of U.S. and allied ships, including the USS McCormick, to join the Yangtze patrol in China to protect American business interests and U.S. citizens living abroad.[29][30] Upon arrival, Chinese troops would indiscriminately fire on the foreign patrolling ships.[31][32]

Anticipating the fall of Shanghai after the Nanking incident, foreign governments began evacuating their citizens from China.[33] On April 12, the Shanghai massacre and the ensuing civil unrest led to the deaths of thousands in just a few days, in one of the most violent opening episodes of the Chinese Civil War. Over the next weeks, foreign flagged vessels would be shot at repeatedly in well orchestrated attacks.[34]

Death

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On April 26, Lieutenant Walker was killed by gunshot in Shanghai, China. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear. Early accounts reported Walker committed suicide by shooting himself aboard the ship.[35][36][37][29] Later accounts clarified he was killed by a stray bullet while on street patrol.[38][39] When Walker's body was repatriated, media accounts of the official documentation received with the body reported, "death not the result of his own misconduct".[40] Walker was later buried in Walla Walla's Mountain View Cemetery with full military honors.[38]

References

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  1. ^ "Claiborne Walker Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  2. ^ United States Naval Institute Proceedings. United States Naval Institute. 1960.
  3. ^ Army-Navy-Air Force Register and Defense Times. 1920.
  4. ^ a b Our Navy, the Standard Publication of the U.S. Navy. 1920.
  5. ^ Belleville Daily Advocate Wed, Apr 27, 1927 ·Page 12
  6. ^ a b Annual register of the United States Naval Academy. Annapolis, Md. Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1921.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. ^ a b c d e Lucky Bag. Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy. First Class, United States Naval Academy. 1921.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ^ a b c d e Committee, United States Olympic (1920). Report of the American Olympic Committee: Seventh Olympic Games, Antwerp, Belgium, 1920. Condé Nast Press.
  9. ^ "Team Accomplishments". www.usna.edu. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Kohlhagen, Gale Gibson (1995). USNA : the United States Naval Academy : a pictorial celebration of 150 years. Internet Archive. [New York] : H.N. Abrams. ISBN 978-0-8109-3932-5.
  11. ^ Mallon, Bill; Bijkerk, Anthony Th (July 11, 2015). The 1920 Olympic Games: Results for All Competitors in All Events, with Commentary. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-2161-6.
  12. ^ Lucky Bag. 1921.
  13. ^ Academy, United States Naval (1919). Annual Register of the United States Naval Academy. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  14. ^ Academy, United States Naval (1920). Annual Register of the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
  15. ^ Navigation, United States Navy Department Bureau of (1919). Navy Directory: Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, Also Including Officers of the United States Naval Reserve, Active, Marine Corps Reserve, Active, and Foreign Officers Serving with the Navy. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  16. ^ Army, Navy, Air Force Journal 1920-05-15: Vol 57 Iss 37. Internet Archive. Gannett Co., Inc. May 15, 1920.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  17. ^ Senate of the United States (1920). Journal Of The Executive Proceedings Of.
  18. ^ Army-Navy-Air Force Register and Defense Times. 1921.
  19. ^ U.S. Congress. Journals and Records of the 68th United States Congress.
  20. ^ Personnel, United States Bureau of Naval (1923). Navy Directory. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  21. ^ Department, United States Navy (1924). Navy Directory: Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, Also Including Officers of the U.S. Naval Reserve Force, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Public Health Service, and Foreign Officers Serving with the Navy. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  22. ^ Army and Navy Register. (1925). United States: Army and Navy Register Publishing Company.
  23. ^ Congressional Record November 10, 1926 - January 6, 1927: Vol 68. Internet Archive. Superintendent of Government Documents. November 10, 1926.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  24. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. (1928). United States: Navy Department.
  25. ^ Annual Reports of the Navy Department for the Fiscal Year (Including Operations to November 15, 1927) 1927. (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1927): 5-6.
  26. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. (1927). United States: U.S. Government Printing Office.
  27. ^ Navy Directory: Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, Also Including Officers of the U.S. Naval Reserve Force (active), Marine Corps Reserve (active), and Foreign Officers Serving with the Navy. Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department. 1927.
  28. ^ "McCormick (DD-223)". public2.nhhcaws.local. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Belleville Daily Advocate Wed, Apr 27, 1927 ·Page 12
  30. ^ "Yangtze River Patrol and Other US Navy Asiatic Fleet Activities in China". public1.nhhcaws.local. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  31. ^ Evening Sentinel Wed, May 04, 1927 ·Page 6
  32. ^ Attacks by Chinese Nationalist troops upon foreign lives and property at Nanking, March 24, 1927, and efforts of the powers to secure amends
  33. ^ https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1928/april/operations-united-states-navy-yangtze-river-september-1926-june
  34. ^ Operations Of The United States Navy On The Yangtze River—September, 1926, To June, 1927 By Lieutenant Commander Glenn Howell, U. S. Navy April 1928 Proceedings Vol. 54/4/302 https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1928/april/operations-united-states-navy-yangtze-river-september-1926-june
  35. ^ "Lieutenant Kills Self" The Spokane Press Wed, Apr 27, 1927 ·Page 2
  36. ^ Army and Navy Register. Army and Navy Register Publishing Company. 1927.
  37. ^ "Claiborne Walker". Olympedia. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  38. ^ a b Goldendale Sentinel Thu, Jun 23, 1927 ·Page 2
  39. ^ The Oregon Daily Journal Thu, Jun 16, 1927 ·Page 10
  40. ^ The Spokesman-Review Fri, Jun 10, 1927 ·Page 9
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