WALTER P. NOCK, JR., ENS, USN
Walter Nock, Jr. '43
Lucky Bag
From the 1943 Lucky Bag:
WALTER PURNELL NOCK, JR.
Salisbury, Maryland
From the Eastern Shore, where the sun is always shining, came Walt. Having previously attended V.P.I., he came to the academy intent on a Naval career. Walt managed the football team two years, playing one himself, and was also an active member of the Boat Club. During the winter months he bowled, slept, and dragged enough to keep him in debt most of the time. Walt was discouraged to see the Matapeake ferry leave its slip every day, but he finally became reconciled and has become a swell wife and friend. His determination and desire to learn carried him through the darkest days here at the academy just as they will in the future.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
WALTER PURNELL NOCK, JR.
Salisbury, Maryland
From the Eastern Shore, where the sun is always shining, came Walt. Having previously attended V.P.I., he came to the academy intent on a Naval career. Walt managed the football team two years, playing one himself, and was also an active member of the Boat Club. During the winter months he bowled, slept, and dragged enough to keep him in debt most of the time. Walt was discouraged to see the Matapeake ferry leave its slip every day, but he finally became reconciled and has become a swell wife and friend. His determination and desire to learn carried him through the darkest days here at the academy just as they will in the future.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
Walter was lost when USS Astoria (CA 34) was sunk during the Battle of Savo Island on August 9, 1942 with the loss of 234 of her officers and crew.
Other Information
From Find A Grave:
Walter served as a Ensign, USS Astoria (CA-34), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland prior to the war.
Walter was declared "Missing In Action" when the Astoria was sunk during the Battle of Savo Island during the war. He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Walter graduated from the US Naval Academy with the class of 1943, which graduated in June of 1942, because of WWII. He was the first of his class to be lost at sea.
Service # 0-165396
From researcher Kathy Franz:
From The Daily Times, January 11, 1932:
Walter was selected for membership in The League of Curtis Salesmen, an honor organization maintained by The Curtis Publishing Company for boys who sell its publications. Admittance to this organization depends upon regular school attendance and a record of efficient service to customers. Through this training, teachers very generally report that boys gain a sense of responsibility that tends to make schooling more real to them.
“As Junior’s friends know, he is developing a sense of self confidence and an ability to make decisions that will greatly help him in later years. That is one reason why he is proud to show his badge or membership to his friends, and is now looking forward to advancement to the next higher degree in the organization,” according to one of his Salisbury friends.
Walter attended Wicomico county schools graduating in 1937. In May 1937, he was Junior Councillor of the Salisbury Demolay. Walter then spent two years at VPI, and he was the first midshipman appointed to the Naval Academy by Rep. David J. Ward.
He had been aboard the Astoria for only four days and expected to be her gunnery officer. His father received Walter’s Purple Heart award in June 1943.
Besides his parents, he was survived by two sisters, Mrs. Edward Sakers and Mrs. Frank Sadowski. His father was head of the Nock Coal Company and bookkeeper at Salisbury National Bank.
From The Morning News from Wilmington, Delaware, on March 8, 1943:
Ensign Walter P. Nock, Jr, "died as bravely as he fought" and "his body lies with the Astoria in the waters the Coral Sea," the Navy's story of the Coral Sea battle declares. The young Ensign, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter P. Nock, Salisbury, graduated from the Naval Academy last year and made a transcontinental dash to a Pacific port. He joined the Astoria at sea from a transport when the fleet stopped to transfer mail at sea. That was on Aug. 5. On Aug. 9 he was killed in the sinking of the Astoria. Capt William G. Greenman, now on leave in the United States, wrote Mr. Nock his condolences and quoted an extract of his report to the Bureau of Naval Personnel on Ensign Nock's conduct during the battle as follows: "At the time the action began, he immediately realized the chances… [missing a part of the text] … responsibility of maintaining an alert watch for such attack; meanwhile encouraging the gun crew in his charge, and keeping ready for immediate action against any enemy targets within range. "While thus engaged. Ensign Nock was mortally wounded by the explosion of a 5-inch enemy shell near him, and he died soon there after. "Up until the time of his death, the conduct of Ensign Nock was most exemplary and in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service. He performed his duties with utter disregard of Injury to himself and he died as bravely as he fought "Ensign Nock's body lies with the Astoria In the waters of the Coral Sea, about five miles southeast of the Savo Island, in the Solomons group."
From the Class of 1943 anniversary book "25 years later…":
Walt was born in Salisbury, Maryland on 23 November, 1919, He was appointed from Maryland and entered the Academy on 19 July, 1939. Upon graduation he reported to the cruiser USS ASTORIA which was then in the thick of the fighting in the South Pacific. On 9 August, the ASTORIA caught between the East and West Column of Japanese cruisers and destroyers just a few miles to the Southeast of Savo Island, in a scant few minutes burst into an inferno of flames from deadly accurate multiple hits. The battle was the ASTORIA’s last as was it Walt’s. He shared with Diirck the distinction of being the first classmate to die in combat. He wore the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, and Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal with bronze star. Walt was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Nock who at Walt’s death resided at 203 N. Boulevard, Salisbury, Maryland.
His father is listed as next of kin. Walter has a memory marker in Delaware.
Related Articles
Herbert Carroll, Jr. ’34 was also lost aboard USS Astoria (CA 34).
Walter is one of 85 members of the Class of 1943 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
