Mortally wounded in the crash of "QB-685" Marine KC-130F BuNo QB 150685 on July 30th, 1970, while assigned to VMGR-352, MWSG-37, 3rd MAW, MCAS El Toro, CA.
Walter survived the crash itself with critical injuries, but succumbed to them 8 days later.
Walter is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.