Thomas Jackson Walker III[1] was born in Edgartown, Massachusetts (on the island of Martha's Vineyard),[2] on August 6, 1916, into a family with long maritime connections—three of his great-grandfathers had been whaling ship captains.

In this position, Walker spotted shore bombardment during the North African invasion at Safi, French Morocco and Casablanca and later participated in anti-submarine flights over convoys.

A group engaged in developing tactics for the delivery of special weapons from light aircraft at the Naval Ordnance Test Station at China Lake, California.

In July 1958 Walker was back in Washington working with the Polaris as head of Ship Operations and Test Branch and Systems Development Analysis Chief.

On November 9, 1963, Walker was promoted to Rear Admiral (lower half) and was relieved of command of Constellation by Captain Stanley W. "Swede" Vejesta.