Pfc. Samuel Ellis 
Combat Correspondent 

“We know what kind of man he was,” said Gen. John Paxton, 33rd assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, referring to Gen. Lewis Walt, who served from 1930-1971, in a speech Friday at the dedication of Marine Corps Information Operations Center’s Walt Hall, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Walt served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. His awards include two Navy Crosses, two Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He also served as the assistant comman­dant of the Marine Corps from 1968–1971 and retired as a four-star general.

Some of Walt’s family members, several Marines who knew and served with him, including two World War II veterans, and Marines who heard of the legacy of the man, gathered to dedicate a new building to the Marine.

“We pray that this act would honor his memory,” said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Burns, Marine and Family Programs Division chaplain, “and inspire the men and women who work here to the same heroism and courage that Lew has so gallantly shown.” The building will be used by the Marine Corps Information Operations Center. Last year the center relocated to Walt Hall from the temporary facility they had been using since 2009. 

— Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil