Submitted by Rebekah Sheats
In 1918, as a war raged around the world, a young Jefferson County son gave his life on a foreign battlefield far away, across the Atlantic Ocean. His name was Otto Walker.
Born July 29, 1894 in Aucilla, Otto was the third of ten children of John and Sarah Walker. He was raised in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Aucilla. Those who knew him described him as tall and slender, with blue eyes and light hair. He worked with his father on the family farm until America entered World War I.
On April 2, 1918, Otto joined the military and left Monticello enroute to Camp Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. After completing initial training, he was assigned to the “sanitary detachment” (the medical division) of the 120th Infantry, 30th Division. He shipped overseas aboard the Miltiades on May 17, 1918. Landing in France, he took part in the Somme Offensive. This was a time of heavy fighting that called for exceptional action on the part of the medical department. Sergeant Rascoe, one of the men in Otto’s division, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions of that day. Rascoe’s citation offers a glimpse into the battle: “In action near Becquigny, France, October 10, 1918. Going forward to establish an aid post, Sergeant Rascoe, finding that the advance had already started, took his position in the front line, and, exposed to terrific fire, cared for the wounded until the medical department was brought up. Later, while bringing up rations, he encountered shell-fire, and, although wounded and knocked down, he quickly regained his feet and completed his mission.”
Edgar S. W. Draughon, another member of the 120th Infantry, received the Congressional Medal of Honor as well during this time. His citation illustrates the work that Otto was also engaged in during the fighting: “Throughout this period Private Draughon labored unceasingly in evacuating the wounded from the front lines to the battalion aid post. On October 19, with complete disregard for his personal safety, he advanced under heavy shell and machine-gun fire beyond the front line, rendered first aid to a wounded officer, and assisted him to the rear.”
Unlike Private Draughon, Otto Walker did not survive the Somme Offensive. He gave his life while evacuating wounded from the battlefield, dying on October 10, 1918.
News of his death reached his family a month later. Throughout the war, Florida kept an ‘Honor Roll’ of the names of its native sons who gave their lives in the fighting in Europe. Otto’s was the first death from Jefferson County to be added to this list. On November 29, 1918, the Monticello News noted: “The name of one Jefferson County boy has been added to Florida’s Honor roll. We refer to Otto Walker, son of Mr. John Walker, . . . We are proud of this honor to Jefferson County, but offer our sincere sympathies to the family and relatives.”
It might be assumed that Otto, a country farmer only twenty-four years old at the time of his death, would quickly be forgotten by his hometown and his nation as World War One receded into the past and the world sprinted forward to a new future. However, thanks to the local American Legion, the memory of this Jefferson County boy will be preserved for generations to come.
Named after Otto Walker, American Legion Post 49 was founded in Monticello in 1920. For over one hundred years, it has been an integral part of Jefferson County life. For more information on the Post or to find out how you can join, please contact Ed Gifford at gifforded78@yahoo.com.
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