John Walton Dies in Plane Crash

[covan]

Wal-Mart heir killed in plane crash

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) ? John Walton, the son of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton and a member of the company's board, died Monday in a plane crash in Wyoming.

Walton, 58, was piloting the ultralight that crashed shortly after takeoff from the Jackson Hole Airport in Grand Teton National Park, the company said.

In March, Forbes Magazine listed Walton as No. 11 on its list of the world's richest people, with a net worth of $18.2 billion, tied with his brother Jim Walton.

John Walton was indeed a member of the noted Walton family. You may not know that in 1968 John Walton was known as Spec. 4 John Walton, a Special Forces medic on RT Idahoserving in Vietnam.

On 3 August 1968 he was the One-One on RT Idaho. The team was inserted into the Ashau Valley. Not long after insertion, according to John Plaster in "SOG," swarms of NVA descended on RT Idaho. The One-Zero, Wilbur Bogg was seriously wounded, as was the One-Two PFC Tom Cunningham, two Yards were dead and the team immobilized.

With the team about to be overrun, Walton called in an air strike practically on top of the team. It hit friend and foe but the NVA fell back. It took all of Walton's medical skill to keep the wounded teammates alive and Plaster states that the fact "that anyone made it out is attritutable to Walton's courage, cool head and medical ability." Walton was awarded the Silver Star.

[Arrow]

Thank You for posting this amazing story.

Rest in peace John. Thank you.

[Jerry D]

My Thanks to John Walton for his service rest easy now Spc4 John and join your men at the watering hole for a few cold ones "god bless the Medics"

[Tina]

i work for wal-mart.. Hope he rests in peace and goes and is rejoined with his Daddy..
tina

[Boats]

All that money can't put this guy back together. Ex-VN Vet too that's a shame. I wish his family the very best.

[DMZ-LT]

What Tina said. Rest in peace brother.

[Keith_Hixson]

May the Lord be with Him.

Keith