STEPHENS WALTER EUGENE

CDR Walter Eugene Stephens died after flight school but did not serve as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam on 02/01/2012 at the age of 89.4
Columbia, SC
Flight Class USN
Date of Birth 09/01/1922
Served in the U.S. Navy
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Cdr. Walter Eugene Stephens COLUMBIA - Cdr. Walter Eugene Stephens (USNR-Ret.), 89, died Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Born in Sapulpa, OK, he was the son of the late Homer and Colleen Stephens. Walt (sometimes called "Steve" and, to his Oklahoma relatives, "Gene") was a 27-year Naval aviator veteran, having served in WWII and Korea, with 218 combat victories. He had stateside tours as a flight instructor in both fixed wing and helicopters. He was assigned to Naval intelligence in Washington, D.C. and Morocco and had a final duty tour in Columbia as head of Navy recruiting for South Carolina. It was in Columbia he decided to retire. Walt was decorated multiple times including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, Navy Commendation, Presidential Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Citation, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Medal (two battle stars), Naval Reserve Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal (four battle stars), Korean Service Medal (two battle stars) and Korean Presidential Citation Medal. Cdr. Stephens' flight certification included Commercial Pilots' License in single and multi-engine aircraft for both land and sea, Flight Instructors' rating for fixed wing rotor wing aircraft with instrument rating and helicopter pilot and instructor with instrument rating. He accrued over 13,000 accident-free flight hours. Upon retirement from the Navy, he became the first corporate pilot for the State-Record newspapers. Surviving are Marjorie, his wife of almost 67 years; daughter, Carol Heitlinger (former son-in-law, Art); son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Judy Stephens; grandchildren, Kelly Dennison (Jonathan) and Scott Stephens, all of Columbia. Also surviving are a brother, Kernoal Stephens (Phyllis) of Heber Springs, AK and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Norman, and sister-in-law, Mary. The family would like to thank the staff and caring personnel of LifeCare Center of Columbia where Walt spent his last years. His life would have been shorter without their excellent care and therapy. The V.A. of Columbia is to be commended for their excellent service on his behalf. Interment in Fort Jackson National Cemetery will be private at a date to be determined. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Published in The State on February 5, 2012

Burial information: Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC

This information was last updated 08/31/2020

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Date posted on this site: 04/13/2025