“Mr. Bob” – Vietnam Vet, Navy Cross, Silver Star & Purple Heart

| November 25, 2020

The Chadds Ford JunXion, a local community magazine, featured Robert Walker on its front cover for the November 2020 edition.  Robert lives in Oxford, Pennsylvania – just west of Philadelphia – and is 70 years old at the time of this posting.

Robert recently retired from the Pocopson / Unionville Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) where he was employed as a custodian for 25 years.  He worked at Chadds Ford Elementary school and then at Pocopson Elementary.

Here is a photo of Mr. Bob celebrating his 70th birthday at what appears to be the school.

Robert is known simply as “Mr. Bob” by the students, faculty, and fellow workers.

In talking about Mr. Bob, the Chadds Ford JunXion article states…

“… many may not know of the full extent of his service to the United States.  During his time as a Marine in the Vietnam War, Mr Bob, a.k.a. Lance Corporal Robert Walker, suffered severe injuries to his face, leg and arm; risked his life to save his fellow soldiers; and earned four of the top six military medals: the Navy Cross, second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the third-ranked Silver Star, both for valor in combat; the fourth-ranked Bronze Star for his heroic achievement; and a Purple Heart, first awarded by George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit to soldiers wounded in combat.  Not one to boast or brag, the soft-spoken veteran reflects on his military service with great humility saying “God had a plan for me; I’m still here. That’s the way I look at it.”

It’s as if the Silver Star and Purple Heart weren’t enough – they mailed him a Navy Cross!

A local Chadds Ford resident was suspicious and alerted us to this case.

In the age of COVID-19 and the subsequent reduced operational tempo of NPRC, we have to look at this case circumstantially.  There are a few things that don’t add up, but perhaps Mr. Bob is willing to explain.

AWARDS:

  • No listing of Robert Walker for a Navy Cross (DoD Navy Cross Awards for Vietnam)
  • No listing of Robert Walker for a Silver Star/Navy Cross for Marines in Vietnam (HoH/HoV Database for Silver Star awards)
STATEMENTS:
  • Walker sent money home to his father who had lost his job, claiming “whatever money you sent home, the government matched it.”
  • The old picture on the magazine cover from back in his time in service is as a Private First Class (E2).  He’s wearing a uniform in the article and rank of a second lieutenant.
  • Walker also appears to be wearing a Navy Commendation Medal as one of his awards – out of order of precedence.

Without having Bob’s military records, this case is speculative.  However, there seems to be concrete proof to bring his claims of the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and the rank of 2ndLt into question.  So, we’re not saying the Bob’s stories aren’t true – but we are saying that ol’ Bob’s got some ‘splainin’ to do.

In case anyone was wondering – it is not too late to get in on making a donation for Mr. Bob’s retirement gift through GoFundMe.  If they get enough, he may be able to wake up one morning to a brand new Harley-Davidson Softail Slim.  Or, a super tricked out leather veteran’s vest with all the patches.

Category: Combat Wounded, Marine Corps Poser, Navy Cross, Purple Heart, Silver Star, Valor Vultures

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MarineDad61

Here we are, the
Calm Before the Storm.
IRONY –
Hollow Point Heroes is a rock band from ST. LOUIS.
And, the various song titles on their YouTube videos
align really well with the Bob Walker story.

Mustang Major

What’s up with Pennsylvania lately? Phony ballots, now phony vets.

MarineDad61

Mustang Major,
Pennsylvania has its share of phonies.
I have personal experience seeing phonies that
infiltrated the VFW, and were caught LATER.
More than once, only caught AFTER serving as a Post Commander.
Veterans, but not war veterans, and certainly NOT VFW eligible.
Worse, there are phonies that get caught elsewhere,
and then HIDE in Pennsylvania.
Remember the Medal of Honor female at the Golden Corral buffet,
yukking it up for free food?
Yep, she relocated from IDAHO…
to Pennsylvania, about 1 hour away from me.

(Dick Dastardly) – Drat, and double drat.

MarineDad61

Just to clarify…
Bob Walker is a combat war veteran.
Bob Walker is VFW eligible, based on his service.
Neither of these are in question.
But several of his claims and shiny adornments are.