Walter was born June 22, 1921, in Austin, Texas to Oscar and Helen Sussdorf. During his teen-age years he took great pride and joy in serving as a page in the Texas Senate to Sen. Penrose Metcalf of San Angelo.

He graduated from Austin High School in 1939 and attended the University of Texas as a pre-law major until January of 1942, when he entered the U.S. Air Force.

Basic Pilot Class 42-H at Goodfellow Field near San Angelo, Texas.

He completed 75 missions as a C-46 pilot in the Air Transport Command of the India China Wing and completed 68 combat missions piloting a B-25 for the 14th Air Force in China.

He returned to civilian status in reserve in October 1945 after achieving the rank of Captain. Among the medals and commendations he earned was a Distinguished Flying Cross.

Walter A Sussdorf