A/2C Walter “Wally” Edward Yocum Jr

(January 20, 1934 - February 29, 2016)

Wally was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania in 1934 to Evelyn and Walter Yocum.

Wally entered the United States Air Force after high school. By 1953, he was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. There, he spent time on B-26 bomber maintenance and learned jet engines. Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to Korea as part of the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing (Far East Air Force), 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, known as the world famous "Rocketeers."

While in Korea (K-14 Kimpo air base), Wally was assigned as the crew chief of the North American F-86F Sabre 52-4539, FU-539. Wally added the nose art "Sweet Rose" after his sweetheart back home, Rose Portaro (they married in 1955). After K-14, Wally was assigned to Misawa Air Base in Japan, then ending his USAF travels at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. From 1955 to 1993, Wally worked at Dover Air Force Base maintaining fighter aircraft, and eventually one of the largest military planes in the world, the Lockheed C-5A Galaxy.

Wally was honored by the 336th at Seymour Johnson in 2014, decaling an F-15E Eagle with his name on the cockpit, "Cc Wally Yocum," and, of course, "Sweet Rose" on the nose.

Medals: the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Korea Service Medal

He will always be remembered by his love for his family, his sense of humor, and his service to his country.

Website: sweetrose.yocumusa.com