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Robert J. Walker inducted into Surface Warfare Hall of Fame
Retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy a 'fearless advocate for Sailors'

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Jan 16, 2009) The Surface Navy Association has inducted retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Bob Walker into the Surface Warfare Hall of Fame. Walker, who has worked as a consultant for Pioneer Services for several years, held the Navy’s top enlisted rank from 1975 to 1979, and was honored during a ceremony Jan. 15, in Alexandria, Va.

While serving as MCPON, Walker helped create the Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy (from which nearly all subsequent MCPON’s have graduated), fought for increases in pay and benefit, was instrumental in improving off-duty educational opportunities, improved paperwork efficiencies, and took on numerous other initiatives that helped improve the quality of life for Navy families.

"This is a tremendous honor," said Walker. "Not because of the individual recognition, but because it validates the legacy we created, and recognizes that many of the changes we made are still helping Sailors and their families today. I am proud to be recognized by the Surface Navy Association, but even more proud to have played a role in helping improve the quality of life for sailors and their families."

Walker was born in Baldwin, N.Y., and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1956, Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1961, and Master Chief in 1963, at the age of 34. Master Chief Walker was selected as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Force, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in 1974, and on Sept. 26, 1975, was sworn in as the third Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

In addition to the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medals, Walker also received the Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Korean Service Medal with three campaign stars, United Nations Korean medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

Master Chief Walker retired on Sept. 28, 1979. Upon retirement from the Navy, he was presented with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal—at the time, he was only the fourth enlisted man in Navy history to receive it. In 1990, Robert J. Walker Hall, the home of Operations Specialist "A" School at Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic, Dam Neck, Va., was named in his honor.

Pioneer Services, the military banking division of MidCountry Bank, provides financial services, personal loans, and award-winning financial education to members of the Armed Forces. For more than 20 years, Pioneer Services has been a leader in military lending, and supports military families and communities through a variety of partnerships, programs, and sponsorships.

For more information visit www.PioneerServices.com.

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Scott Cahill
Public Relations, Pioneer Services
media@pioneerservices.com
ph: 816-448-2300
fax: 816-561-9333

All loan applications subject to our credit policies. No official US military endorsement is implied. MidCountry Bank is a member FDIC.

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