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Former Perrin Air Force Base deputy commander interred at Arlington National Cemetery
By John M. Elkins, Co-Founder and Director, Perrin Air Force Base Museum
Oct 13, 2009

A patriot who spent more than half of his life serving and defending this great nation in the Armed Forces and helped direct operations at Perrin Air Force Base, once the "third large city" in Grayson County with an annual payroll in the millions of dollars, was laid to rest with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on October 5.
 
Colonel Walter R. Hardee Jr. was deputy commander for operations and training at Perrin Air Force Base from 1963 to 1965. In 1965, he was moved up to the Wing Commander of the 4780th Aerospace Defense Wing. On May 31, 1969, Colonel Hardee retired from the United States Air Force.

As a command pilot, Colonel Hardee served both in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He had more than 5,000 flying hours to his credit. On the day of retirement, Sherman Mayor Ed Gillespie presented the colonel  a proclamation making him an "honorary citizen" of Sherman.

Denison Mayor Bob Cherry followed Gillespie, said, "Everyday is Bob Hardee Day in Denison." Mayor Cherry further stated that he was authorized by A&M University President Earl Rudder to make the colonel an "honorary Texas Aggie" because his son was a student there.

Upon retirement, Colonel and Mrs. Hardee moved to Dallas for a short time. They returned to Denison, Texas and made their home until mid 2005 when health problems forced them to move to Birmingham, Alabama to be near relatives. Much of his historical memorabilia was donated to and is on display at the Perrin Air Force Base Museum, North Texas Regional Airport-Perrin Field.
 
Colonel Walter Robert Hardee, Jr., USAF retired age 89, died July 3, 2009, in Birmingham, Alabama. Interment was held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. on October 5 with Air Force Chaplain Colonel Charles Stutts conducting the military honors.

Surviving are his wife, Anne Lipoma Hardee of Birmingham; son, Richard W. Hardee of Hardy, Virginia, brother Frank Hardee of Georgia; on grandson and one great-granddaughter.

Memorials may be made to the Perrin Air Force Base Museum, 4575 Airport Drive, Denison, Texas 75020.