Brian Walker Oral History

Item

Identifier: OHP-071

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Brian Walker served aboard Intrepid as an attack aviator in VA-34 during Intrepid’s second Vietnam deployment in 1967. He began his interview by discussing his upbringing in Wisconsin and his interest in flight, which began at an early age. Walker then continued, explaining his decision to join the Navy and describing his experiences in flight training, which involved flying T-34s, T-28s, and F-9s. The interview then shifted to Walker’s time aboard Intrepid, where he flew A-4s, an aircraft that Walker described as being like a sports car. Walker also noted that, prior to the ship’s arrival off of the coast of Vietnam, he had spent approximately two weeks in survival training in the Philippines. He then took some time to discuss his bunkroom, “Triple Sticks,” as well as Intrepid’s voyage to Vietnam, which involved a transit through the Suez Canal. The interview soon transitioned to a discussion on missions, and Walker recalled the first missions he flew in Vietnam (road reconnaissance missions), described Alpha Strikes, noted occasions when aircraft were shot down, and recounted the time that his own aircraft was hit. He also recalled his experiences visiting ports of call. Brian Walker concluded his interview by discussing his return home after the war and stating that he remains in contact with his squadronmates.