When Richard Walker, Jr. came home from Vietnam – and the conflict he volunteered to serve in with the U.S. Army – the last thing he was thinking about was collecting the medals he earned there.
"I think I did a good job and I was proud that I served. But when I came home, we were 'baby killers' and 'dope smokers,' and if you came back as a military person you were ostracized," Walker said. "So I came home, grew my hair long, traveled the country for a few years, finally met a good wife and settled down."
However, when the 66-year-old Neptune City resident's son, Steven, started asking about his service, looking through photos and asking about the medals he did not have, Walker reached out to U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4th District) to see if it was still possible to get them.
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NJ.com photo Gallery by Rob Spahr
"My sons don't really know anything about my time in Vietnam, because I never really talked about it. But my son has an interest, so I'd like to hand it down to him," Walker said. "And so at some point when I'm no longer here, he'll have something to look at."
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith presented Vietnam veteran Richard Walker, of Neptune City, with the Bronze Star and several other medals he earned serving his country.
On Friday afternoon, Smith presented Walker with the Bronze Star and several other medals he earned fighting for his country.
"We contacted the Pentagon and worked to make sure this happened, because sometimes these things can get lost or papers get misfiled. And after a little bit of Sherlock Holmes efforts, we found all the necessary documentation," Smith said. "To give a man like Sgt. Walker the Bronze Star and so many medals, but really the Bronze Star which is a very special commendation for heroism and for his service, it's so great to be part of it. It's belated, but it's better late that never."
In addition to the Bronze Star, Walker was also presented with the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and the Sharpshooter Badge and Rifle Bar.
Walker, who reached the rank of sergeant in the Army, admitted that he does not know what he was awarded the Bronze Star for, other than is was for an operation "close to the Demilitarized Zone."
"Vietnam was pretty intense, let's be honest. So I'm not sure what it was for. We were ambushed once, but it could've been anything," he said. "Like I said, I didn't really think about it. I was thinking about getting my guys out. And if you're go there looking for medals, you're not going to get them."
Even though Walker waited for about 44 years to receive the medals, he did not keep them for long. Instead, he immediately handed them over to his son who plans on displaying the medals next to his grandfather's military burial flag.
Steven Walker – a 34-year-old patrolman with the Ocean Township Police Department – said witnessing his father being presented the medals from a congressman was a surreal experience.
"It's amazing to see the look on his face and to see him get the recognition that he deserves, but that he never got," Steven Walker said. "Now I'll be able to explain to my kids and their kids what my father, and my grandfather, did for this country. It will kind of keep their legacy going, and it's hard to put into words what this means."
Smith said it was touching to see Steven Walker so interested in seeing his father getting the recognition he earned.
"It's not only respect, but love for a son wanting to honor his father in this way. It's one of the greatest values and expressions of love you can have," he said.
After Richard Walker posed for the obligatory photos after being presented the medals, however, it was clear he was actually the proudest person in the room, but not of himself.
The proud father – who also took time to brag about his oldest son, a cancer researcher – made sure to get a cell phone picture of his son with the congressman.
"I think he's a good man, an upstanding young man. He's got good morals and he's a good cop," Walker said. "I couldn't have asked for anything better."
Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com.