SGT(Ret) Ronald Walton passed away on December 27, 2016 in North Carolina.
SGT Walton, who was known to many as “Oil Can,” was a decorated US Army noncommissioned officer and former member of the District of Columbia National Guard’s historic 547th Transportation Company.
Through his decades-long military career, SGT Walton served honorably & selflessly in numerous garrison as well as combat environments, to include Vietnam and Desert Storm/Desert Shield (Saudi Arabia).
I had the distinct privilege of serving alongside SGT Walton as a member of the legendary 547th Light Medium Truck Company (under the leadership of then CPT Malik Freeman) during our unit’s combat deployment to Iraq during the 2003-2004 timeframe in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As a young US Army transportation officer, I was in many ways trained by SGT Walton, and I was fortunate enough to have gleaned countless invaluable lessons about life, professional development & the challenges of leadership from SGT Walton.
During our time in Iraq, SGT Walton served a critical role as a motor sergeant / mechanic assigned to the Tactical Gun Truck Detachment I led at the Joint Military Mail Terminal, Baghdad International Airport.
Because of SGT Walton’s expert technical proficiency, our soldiers were able to depend on the consistent & reliable daily functioning and serviceability of our unit’s fleet of 5-Ton Gun Trucks — as they daily traversed the lethal highways & bomb-laden by-ways of some of Iraq’s most notorious and deadly war-zone regions.
I deeply cherish and appreciate the gift of knowing this extraordinary man.