David Mathieson Walker, a Captain in the United States Navy (Retired), was born on May 20, 1944 in Columbus, Georgia. He was an Associate Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Eagle Scout Association.
In April 1996, Walker retired from the Navy and left NASA to enter the private sector.
Walker died on April 23, 2001 while being treated at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Space Flights:
- Pilot, STS-51A, Discovery, November 8-16, 1984, retrieved two satellites that had been deployed during the STS-41B mission earlier in the year and had been placed into improper orbits because their kick motors malfunctioned
- Commander, STS-30, Atlantis, May 4-May 8, 1989, deployed the Magellan spacecraft to study Venus
- Commander, STS-53, Discovery, December 2-9, 1992, classified Department of Defense payload
- Commander, STS-69, Endeavour, September 7-18, 1995, Spartan 201 free-flying satellite and the second flight of the Wake Shield Facility
Total Hours in Space: 725
Astronaut Group: 8-January 31, 1978
Degrees: BS, United States Naval Academy, 1966
Military Service & Awards: He served in Vietnam. Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, the Legion of Merit, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, six Navy Air Medals, the Battle Efficiency Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, four NASA Space Flight Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Interred at Arlington National Cemetery: May 24, 2001
Section: 66
Grave: 5191
Grid: EE-17
How to locate: Walking south on Eisenhower Drive near the visitors center, you will pass McClellan Gate on your right, which is also the intersection with McClellan Drive. Keep walking south, passing York Drive. Take the next left onto Bradley drive. At the 4th large tree, which is at the 18th row, turn right, and walk past approximately 47 gravesites to the location.