The Stewarts: Grandpa Walter Travis Stewart

I've been majorly procrastinating on this post because I feel that I cannot do it justice. Grandpa Stewart was a WWII hero and I feel that I don't know enough of the facts, all the cool things he did, his amazing mission in Africa, his many talents, and his unwavering faith in the Lord. Here's a little snippet of what was written about him...

United States Air Force
Walter T. Stewart was born in Benjamin, Utah, in 1917. During World War II he was a B-24 pilot, flying 236 hours of combat. Of the 32 combat missions he flew, the most historic was the low-level bombing mission to the oil refineries of Ploesti, Romania, on August 1, 1943.

Operation "Tidal Wave" was Lt. Stewart's 31st combat mission. He was assigned as Deputy Lead of the 93rd Bombardment Group despite his rank and because of his reputation and experience. Five groups took off from Libya for the 2,000-mile round trip to their target, which was supplying nearly one-third of all oil used by Nazi Germany.

After weeks of practice at flying low level, they intended to bomb the refineries from "about 50 feet above the stacks" in concentrated waves of bombers. However, after crossing into Bulgaria, the formations entered weather and became separated. Their navigation was also disrupted by the loss of the lead navigators due to enemy fire on the way to the target. A critical turn point was misidentified and the bombers were forced to ingress through the most heavily defended area around Ploesti rather than circling in from the northeast, as planned.

During the ingress, Lieutenant Colonel Addison Baker, who was leading Stewart's group, was shot down. Lt. Stewart assumed the lead and continued on, guiding the 93rd through the intense flak to deliver the first bombs on the target.

The attack turned to chaos with bombers from the different groups attacking from all quadrants, but the oil refineries were severely damaged. The B-24s were under heavy attack from flak and fighters on their egress and return flight as well. Of the 178 aircraft that took off on the most decorated mission of World War II, 54 were shot down; 532 of 1,726 men did not return.

Lt. Stewart's plane, named "Utah Man," came back with 365 holes in it. The damage the aircraft suffered was so severe that they had to reduce airspeed and nearly ran out of fuel. The plane landed two hours after most of the other aircraft had returned to base. The USAAF's next raid on Ploesti was six months later and flown at 25,000 feet.

Lt. Stewart flew one more combat mission after Ploesti, then was re-assigned to the United States where he toured facilities supporting the war effort. After the war, he continued flying with the Air Force Reserve. He retired as a Colonel after thirty-six years of service. Among his many decorations are the Distinguished Service Cross, which was not awarded until 1995 due to clerical errors; the Silver Star; Distinguished Flying Cross; and Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters.

We had been to Walt's funeral service (it still makes me weird to say he's no longer with us, because isn't he working or something?) We weren't sure if we were going to make it to Grandpa's funeral going to Utah twice in a row. Thankfully it all worked out and we were able to make his service. Every one spoke so greatly about him. His accomplishments, his talents building churches around the world and taking his family along, his famous mission in Ploesti, Romania. I tried my best to jot down some of the stories that were told during the funeral, I will do my best to tell his story...

I believe one of the stories was that grandpa was born very little. His parents took him to the doctor's on a train and on the train there was a nurse. The nurse told them that grandpa was dead and he then received CPR. Sally says that may be one of the first CPR attempts ever made. Grandpa went on to receive a blessing from the church head quarters and lived a long, healthy life.

His older sister Isla was killed when he was a baby. Roselle was the next oldest sibling. They were all very close and they have pictures of each other enjoying dances together. They all loved each other very much. (I think Roselle passed away a couple of weeks before grandpa)

When he went on a mission he was called to the states. Grandpa contacted Salt Lake and talked to Gordon Hinkley and asked him to send him to Europe, and he did! He loved his time there. Once while he was there he was trying to defend a woman at a bus stop and got his two front teeth knocked out. There are pictures with grandpa smiling from ear to ear missing his two front teeth.

After his mission, they asked him to go on a US army tour. He went to many different places. He was doing that when he met grandma in a blind date. When he asked her where she was from she said, "A little town in Utah" to which he replied "I'm from a little town in Utah too". Turns out they lived four miles apart. Then they married after the tour was over.

I was trying to take a picture of the famous Benjamin church but these two cuties kept photobombing my pictures

After his active duty he worked for civil air patrol in Reno, Nevada. There was a woman in Nevada who was in medical distress and they flew over there. It was so dark that they had to turn back since they couldn't see the runway. Grandpa said they could build fires 150 feet apart and every 50 feet going down that they could create a run way where they could land. So they tried again. When he got there, they had built it 50 feet apart and every 150 feet, woops! The wind was blowing and the flames where touching the wings of the airplane. When they took off, the navigation was off and grandpa didn't know it but they were flying the wrong direction to go back to Reno. His boyscout experiences (or we don't know if he knew this from somewhere else) but the town they were flying towards had a mill and the smell was so distinct. Grandpa smelled that smell and knew he was going the wrong direction. He made adjustments and landed quickly to get the woman the help she needed. When he landed they said they couldn't even fill a 5 pound bucket of fuel out of your plane! Wow!

When he came back from his service, he went to school and got a law degree. He didn't like practicing law though, so he went back to his construction business. He built many homes and businesses around Utah. When the church called him to go to England to built a chapel, he was thrilled. Sally says how he would wake up early in the morning and ideas would come to him as to how he would build the church without the proper equipment. During that time Alexandra, the youngest, was adopted and joined the family.

After coming home from building churches, he started teaching seminary. He taught in Orem, Provo, Springville and even in the prison. Even when he broke both of his legs, he would still go and teach. (There were even some seminary students who showed up at his funeral)

When grandpa and grandma retired, they were called on a mission to Africa. Grandpa was delighted, while Grandma was horrified.

Sally tells the story that they had gone up to visit the church head quarters. She didn't know they would visit her, but they stopped by at Sally's house. Walt came into her house cheerful while Grandma slowly dragged behind. Sally asked, did someone die? What's wrong? Grandma said no, it's awful, we've been called on a mission to Africa! After a couple of visits to the temple, Grandma grew to love the idea and was 100% on board.

When he grew older, grandpa's health declined. He stayed most evenings and nights over at Sally's house. Sally said that every time they passed the Benjamin cemetery in the evening, there was a pole with a bright light shining. Grandpa would say "Someone's being resurrected!" Another thing he would say is "Future home, but I'm not ready to go yet"

Sally said they used to wonder why dad was hanging on for so long. He had great physical health. He broke his leg a couple of years ago and was up walking shortly after. Grandpa made a connection with every one he came in contact with. Everyone he came across with felt loved and appreciated. When he was admitted to the hospital, some of the CNA's from the VA came over to see him. Sally said that when she was walking out of the ICU there were 5 CNAs there. They couldn't go in just yet because it was shift change. Sally offered to text them when visiting hours started again but they said "No, we're going to wait" And they did. They waited for 2 hours to see Walt. Sally said they even came back the next day and sat with him. Then she thought, "That's why he's been hanging on for so long" He made connections with so many people even when his dementia made it so he didn't know who he was talking to. On his last days at the hospital he said to Sally "Happy man, happy man" And he truly was a happy man.

As grandpa's mind slipped, he was always happy and at peace. Sometimes he would get frustrated because he couldn't remember anything or understand certain things. He would always make you smile. If you visited him, you always walked away happy. Some even said he remembered them. Grandpa couldn't remember them, he was just very friendly and sneaky like that. He took advantage of the Mormon greeting "brother" and "sister"

Sam tells that while grandpa's mind was slipping, he would forget he had already blessed his food and bless it over and over again

Grandpa, a true BYU cougar fan, even became a Ute fanafter losing his memory. When they would put on his blue BYU coats, he would say, I don't want to wear this ugly thing.

I loved seeing these old vets at grandpa's funeral, so thankful for their courage and service!

Lara Stewart talking about Grandpa "He is good to the core!"

The respect these men had over laying down a WWII vet was an amazing thing to see

Everyone was silent. The entire place was quiet.

The fly over

Sally given the American Flag that covered Grandpa's casket.

During his military service the General sent him to talk to a bunch of ladies as a revenge. He didn't know the Queen was going to be there. After he spoke on rural life of America, he was pulled aside and was going to be introduced to the Queen. Since he didn't know she was there he said "Howdy Gals!" It came out in the newspapers. "American greets Queen of England with , "Howdy Gals!"" Thankfully he got away with it.

This letter says:

Dear Colonel Stewart

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother has learnt of your great honour on being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by The President for courage, heroism and leadership during operations in World War II. Her Majesty offers you her warmest and most sincere congratulations.

The Queen Mother recollects so well meeting you at West Newton when you lectured to the Sandrinham Women's Institute in 1944 and Her Majesty remembers your talk vividly and the amusement it generated amongst the ladies.

I enclose a signed photograph which comes to you with an expression of Her Majesty's best wishes for peace and happiness in the years ahead.

US Senator extending his "deepest sympathies on the passing of Walter Stewart"

The Senate recognizing Walter T. Stewart for his extraordinary service to our nation in WWII.

One of the most important things to grandpa, was that his family understood the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that they based their families and lives on those principles. He loved his family more than anything else in the world. All he ever wanted was for them to be an eternal family.

This letter reads: I was born November 8, 1917, in Benjamin Utah, to Otto Ren and Millicent Tollestrup Stewart. I am the tenth of twelve children and have had an extremely happy family life. My father was a railway mail clerk so we lived in the city during winter months and moved to the Benjamin ranch in the summers. I started school in Benjamin and then moved to Provo, and then to Salt Lake city, where I attended South High School and the University of Utah, graduating with degrees in 1947 and 1949.

It was my good fortune to serve a mission here in England in 1938 and 1939, and then was stationed right here in Norwich during the War while serving as a pilot with the U.S. Air Force. I had the opportunity of spending an afternoon with the Queen and took advantage of my position as speaker and told her and the Princesses about the Mormon Church.

After my return to the States, I met Ruth Francis on a blind date at Wrigley Stadium in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of J. Arch Francis and also the tenth of twelve children. She had gone to school in Lake Shore, Spanish Fork, Utah, and Sawyer Business College in Los Angeles. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 14, 1944 and now have three children: Wally, 10; Scott Edward, 5; and Sally Kay, 16 months. The two boys are excited bout school in a foreign land and after just three months here, they're playing chess, cricket and can eat with "fork in left hand" just like the British kids.

For Nearly five years I served as a bishop's counselor, during which I was contractor on our own Ward Chapel. I am a high priest and have held positions of Stake M.I.A, Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, seminary teacher, sacrament meeting speaker, scout master, guide on temple square, attorney-at-law, and airplane pilot. My hobbies are flying, playing the piano and golf; but most of all i like baseball and PEOPLE!!

Ruth has been Sunday school teacher, M.I.A. president of stake bee keeper, and stake activity counselor, holding ten individual awards. She loves to sew, sing, sew, talk, shop, cook and sew!! (All we need is a sewing machine.) We were very happy at 2660 E, 2760 So. Salt Lake and had lived in a wonderful Highland View Wards for fourteen years with no thought or plans for moving until this mission call came in January, 1962. But, we're here and thrilled with this opportunity and means of serving. We have nothing but pleasant, pleasant memories since we arrived on April 2, 1962.

We have a secret; we think our job of supervising the Building in Norwhich is the best job, in the best Branch, with the best Missionaries. If anyone want to challenge this, please stop by number 8 Cheyham Mount, Eaton Village, and discuss this with us!!

When I was taking pictures, this man came up to me and said, "Make sure you get pictures of these pages, they are the mission that made grandpa famous"

Alexandra tells a story about flying his B24 along with other bombers crossing the Atlantic ocean headed for England. 37 planes took off that night. They wouldn't see each other until they arrived in England. Flying East over the Atlantic, Walt noticed the North star over the nose of his plane. With his experience in boy scouts, he knew that the North star should be on his left. His flight navigator had made flight plans using a compass, not realizing there was a false magnetic field in the air. Walt changed the direction of his plane and landed safely in England. He says that some planes flew away from their destination instead of towards it. This story was important to tell his family as he learned that it is important to let true principles guide us through our lives with every choice that we make. During his lifetime he told many stories about his military experiences. The experiences that shaped his life.

Although grandpa didn't have much spare time, he always made sure to take time to teach his children the Gospel. Grandpa was a very animated man. He used his hands and face to tell the stories. No wonder my father in law was a great story teller too! Alexandra said that every Monday night, weather they liked it or not they would have FHE. He was so knowledgeable he would just whip up a lesson in no time. As teenagers, Walt and Sam sat at the door way for a fast escape while Alexandra tells that she would moan and roll her eyes and made sure every one in the family knew how much she didn't want to be there. Walt would tell grandma, I teach about 20 lessons a week and this is by far the hardest group I have to deal with!

Documentary written about the 'Utah Man' Grandpa Stewart. Written by Mike Sanchez who was a promoter and marketer of his life's documentary.

Grandpa is front row, third from the left

Distinguished Service Cross

It is the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Air Forces for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.

Distinguished Flying Cross

A US military decoration for heroism or distinguished achievement while on aerial duty.

The Silver Star

(The back reads FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION)

Given when in service to the US army when fighting against a foreign enemy

Air medal with Oak Leaf Clusters

This medal is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight

This picture says Col. Walter T. Stewart, Pilot of B-24 "Bomerang?" over Benjamin, UT May 1944 w/ 17 members of my family aboard. Nillie Stewart, Co-Pilot

Grandpa's Missionary Farewell. Held Sunday Evening, January 30, 1938 at the Wells Ward Chapel in 1990 South 5th East

Grandpa on the cover of Life Magazine

Sam said: The Utah man received 365 bullets during the bomb run, some the size of a basketball. Walt survive but not without gratitude. He wants you to remember not only those two men, but his whole crew that he flew with. Sam says he honors his dad for the courage and sacrifice he showed that day. The third verse in America the beautiful reads ...