Mcallen Daily Press

Regular Army General in Command Of 36th Division, Texas Outfit

THIRTY-SIXTH DIVISION HEADQUARTERS IN LOUISIANA, Sept. 16—(UP)—A regular Army officer commanded the 36th Division today for the first time since its reorganization after the World War.

He is Brig. Gen. Fred L. Walker who Sunday succeeded Maj. Gen. Claude V. Birkhead.

Sixty-seven years old last May 27, Birkhead had led the all-Texas division, a former national guard unit, since 1936. Walker praised the troops as "unexcelled in discipline."

No immediate change in policy was indicated. The 36th, now on maneuvers, has played a prominent part in simulated war which will be climaxed when the Third Army is pitted against the Second Army.

Birkhead was chief of staff during reorganization of the division from 1919 to 1923. He served as brigadier general for 13 years from 1923, and in 1936 was advanced to major general. He entered military service in 1916 as captain in the field artillery of the Texas national guard, and as colonel commanded the 131st field artillery, a unit of the 36th, in the American Expeditionary Force.

The retiring general commended his men for "work well done."

"The initiative, energy and aggressive good judgment of our units in contact with our 'enemy' gained their respect and admiration and merits the commendation of the high command," Birkhead said.

Walker, now 54 years old, was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry in the regular Army in February, 1911. He had risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel by November, 1918.

Following his discharge from the expeditionary forces in 1920, Walker re-enlisted as a major. In August, 1935, he again became a lieutenant-colonel. He was made a full colonel on Jan. 1, 1940, and a brigadier general last April.

During the World War, Walker led a battalion on the 30th Infantry of the Third Division some of the sharpest fighting of the battle of the Marne. He won the Distinguished Service Cross and the "Purple Heart" He also served overseas in the Philippines with the 13th Infantry and in China with the same unit.

As a colonel, he served on the Second Army staff and in April, 1941, was sent to the Third Army as assistant to the commanding general of the Second Division, stationed at Fort Sam Houston.

Prior to his transfer to Texas, he commanded the famed 15th Infantry of the Third Division at Fort Lewis, Wash.

A native of Ohio, Walker was graduated from Ohio State University. He also is a graduate of the command and general staff school, with honors, the Army War College and the infantry school, advanced course.

Under recently announced War Department policy, Birkhead no longer is eligible for combat command, having reached the age of 62.

His plans have not been announced. A prominent San Antonio attorney he long has been active in civic and national guard affairs.