World War II John Thaddeus Walker (September 15, 1893 – February 22, 1955) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps, who reached the rank of lieutenant general.

Young Walker was eager to see combat during World War I, he almost immediately entered the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned second lieutenant on May 23, 1917.

Walker remained in this capacity until October 1920, when has been transferred to the 2nd Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Harry Lee and sent to Dominican Republic to fight insurgents.

[3][1] The orders for return to the United States came in August 1922 and Walker has been appointed Aide-de-camp to the Commandant Norfolk Navy Yard, Rear Admiral Philip Andrews.

Upon the graduation in June 1926, now in the rank of captain, Walker assumed command of Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS West Virginia and participated in the ship's voyage to Australia and New Zealand.

[4] He left Quantico in May 1940 and subsequently was transferred to the Marine Corps Base San Diego as Chief of Planning Section under Major General William P. Upshur.

Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he returned to the United States and reported for duty at San Diego with 2nd Marine Division as operations officer.

Walker has been promoted to the rank of colonel on 1 January 1942 and after five months with 2nd Division, he was appointed commanding officer of the newly activated 22nd Marine Regiment at Camp Elliott, California.

[4][3][1] Upon his return, Walker was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in December 1944 and appointed assistant director of personnel at Headquarters Marine Corps.

Walker was promoted to the rank of major general in July 1949 and transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., where he was appointed director of personnel under his old superior, Commandant Lemuel C.

[1] He took command of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in April 1952 and served in this capacity until 30 January 1954, when he was relieved by Major General John C. McQueen.