Sweeney, Walter C. (Walter Campbell), 1909-1965

Walter Campbell Sweeney (1909-1965) was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in June, 1930. He graduated from primary and advanced flight schools in 1935, and was assigned to the 8th Attack Squadron of the 3rd Attack Group at Barksdale Field, Louisiana. During the World War II era, Sweeney joined the 5th Bomb Group in Hawaii in June, 1939, and later served as Commanding Officer of the 431st Bomb Squadron there. He commanded an Army Air Force task squadron during the Battle of Midway in June, 1942. Later in the year he was transferred to the War Department General Staff, Washington, D.C. He would return to the Pacific Theater in July, 1944, when he accompanied 73rd Bomb Wing as Chief of Staff and later as Deputy Commander. He served in combat commands in the Marianas Islands, losing his aircraft on one mission, but able to return to his island base. In July, 1945, he was appointed Director of Plans for the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Area, Guam. After his wartime service, he served in Washington, D.C. as a member of the Joint War Plans Committee for the Army Air Forces. He later served as an instructor at the National War College. In 1947, Sweeney was assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, and the following year was named Director of Plans for the Strategic Air Command at Omaha, Nebraska. In June, 1954, while commanding the 15th Air Force at March AFB, California, he led a trio of Stratojets in the first non-stop flight of jet bombers across the Pacific Ocean. Following this command, he assumed command of the 8th Air Force at Westover AFB, Massachusetts. He would hold this command for six year, from 1955-1961. In October, 1961, Sweeney assumed command of the Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB, Virginia. He had achieved the rank of four-star General and retired from active duty on August 1, 1965, and died shortly thereafter on December 22, 1965. His career distinctions included the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.