James J. Walton

West Point, 1989

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by LTC Gillian Boice on September 2, 2008:

I knew Jim since I was a young child (and still Gill Schweitzer in Washington DC), before we became classmates at West Point. Being from the DC metro area, Jim and I were both divers on the same local team and knew each other well. When I was sick with a serious surgery as a teenager, Jim visited me at the hospital and made me laugh. He was a natural leader and knew how to meet the needs of others. Jim was super ready for military service after his high school preparations and I was not well prepared. Plus Jim knew everything about West Point from his self study and intel from Don. Jim tried to prevent me from getting eaten alive as a plebe. He taught me how to salute, stand at attention and other facing movements---plus my four responses before R day. As cadets and teamates on the West Point Swimming and Diving Team, Jim continued to shine and bring fun, plus plenty of wisdom, to my days (and the long practices at Crandall Pool). Jim kept in good contact over the years, so I knew what he was up to, but I was really counting on seeing him at reunions down the road...I'll just have to embrace the fantastic memories of a buddy, friend, teammate and adopted brother...and remember that I was blessed as his friend. My prayers are for the entire Walton family for this loss and their suffering. Gill Boice

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