Walter Lee McCreary

Walter Lee McCreary was born on March 4, 1918 in San Antonio, Texas, one of three children born to the late Daisy Novella McCreary and James Walter McCreary. He passed from this life on Sunday, December 20, 2015, at his home in Burke, Virginia.

Walter graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School (now Brackenridge High School) in San Antonio in 1935 and went on to major in Business Administration at Tuskegee Institute (University) in Alabama graduating in 1940. Soon after graduation, he entered flight training earning his military aviator’s wings through the Civilian Pilot Training Program at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps graduating in Aviation Class 43-C.

As a young aviator, he joined what we now know as the famed Tuskegee Airmen and was deployed to Naples, Italy as part of the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group where he flew combat missions in the P-39, P-47 and P-51 Airplanes. He flew eighty-nine combat missions over France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Romania, Poland, Greece, Hungary and Yugoslavia protecting bomber missions, flying escort and conducting strafing missions. On his eighty-ninth mission, his Red Tailed P-51 Fighter Plane was hit by enemy fire. He parachuted to safety over Poland and was captured by German soldiers and was transported to a prisoner of war (POW) camp in Budapest run by the Luftwaffe where he spent the last 9 months of World War II.

In 2007, The President of the United States presented the Congressional Gold Medal to Walter and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen for their heroism and dedicated service to their nation in spite of the adversity that they faced in America during a period of extreme racial divide. Due to the bravery and proven combat record of the 332nd Fighter Group, President Harry Truman moved to integrate all branches of the armed forces in 1948. After the WWII, he remained in the United States Air Force serving a full military career retiring in 1963. In his second and third careers, he became the Deputy Director of Finance for the state of Ohio and later the Financial Officer for the YMCA.

Walter is a member of Second Baptist Church of Columbus, Ohio where he served faithfully as a Deacon for ten years. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. receiving honors from the Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter (Columbus, Ohio). He was also a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc (Columbus, Ohio Chapter). He received recognition for faithful service to the Eldon W. Ward YMCA of Central Ohio. In 2006, Walter was awarded the degree, Doctor of Public Service, from his beloved Tuskegee University. He served on a host of boards and commissions. In his spare time, he enjoyed conversing with family and friends, listening to the original music of William L. Dawson sang by the Tuskegee Choir and listening to jazz music.

Walter was preceded in death by infant twin sons, Walter Lee and William Allen; his wife of 47 years, Dorothy M. Mackey McCreary; his brother, James William McCreary; and his sister, Mary Louise McCreary Long.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his daughters, Stephanie (David) Lynch, Sylvia M. Parks, and Andrea M. McCreary; his grandsons, Nicolas David McCreary Lynch and Allen J. Parks; granddaughter, Allison E. (Frank) Bann; great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be held at Second Baptist Church, 186 North 17th Street, Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, December 30, 2015. Viewing will take place from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Omega Service (open to the public) will be conducted at 10:30 with Homegoing Services at 11:00 a.m. Schoedinger Midtown Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements located at 229 East State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.