Walter Monroe Coble Walter was born on February 8, 1922, to Bertha Suttle Coble and James Adam Coble, in Plant City, Florida. He died on May 23, 2012. He married Caroline Walker on January 27, 1946, in San Antonio, Texas, after he returned from his service during World War II. His illustrious military career started as an Aviation Cadet on December 8, 1941. He completed training at Brooks Field, Texas, and was commissioned a rated pilot on January 14, 1943. He sustained serious injuries bailing out of P-39 in November, 1943, and returned to duty in April, 1944. He volunteered for the 157th Air Commando Squadron of the 3rd Air Commando Group in June, 1944. He landed in New Guinea and later participated in an invasion on Luzon. He was promoted to operations officer and later to commanding officer of his unit, evacuating wounded, inserting and recovering guerillas, and dropping supplies to forward troops. Walter participated in the occupation as caretaker of a Japanese aircraft factory at Showa, Japan. He returned to San Antonio, Texas, December 25, 1945, and was appointed to the Regular Army in 1946. He went on to have a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, retiring as a full colonel with more than 30 years service. After commanding flying squadrons, he finished his career as a Professor of Aerospace Studies. Ratings: Pilot, Senior Pilot, Command Pilot and Aircraft Observer. Decorations: Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Asiatic Pacific with 4 Bronze Stars, WWII VM, ACM, NDSM 1 BS, SAEMR, AOM, AFOUA, VSM, AFLSA 5 OLC. After retiring from the Air Force in 1972, he had a second career as a municipal judge in Commerce, Texas, for 18 years. He and his wife, Caroline, moved to Olympia, WA, in 1997 to be closer to family. He was an avid member of his poker club and a prodigious cribbage opponent. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Caroline Coble, of Olympia; son Ross Coble (Dinah), Spokane; daughter Cynthia Coble (Rick LaValla), Olympia; four grandchildren: Adam Coble, Virginia McFadin, Patrick and Scott LaValla, and numerous nieces and nephews. His family is united in love and appreciation of his life and service to his country. A family service with military honors will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Cal Farley's Boys Ranch (www.calfarley.org) or the Salvation Army.