Person:Raymond Waller (2)

By S. Joseph Hagenmayer, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT, POSTED: March 03, 1998
Raymond Randolph Waller, 95, a retired rear admiral and decorated veteran of World War II and Korea, died Friday at the Evergreens in Moorestown. Born in Rossville, Tenn., he was raised in Memphis. A 1924 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Admiral Waller retired from the Navy in 1954, last serving as chief of staff and aide to the Commander, Western Sea Frontier. Admiral Waller's commendations included the Legion of Merit, awarded in 1945, and a Gold Star signifying a second Legion of Merit during the Korean War. He served as the executive officer aboard the second USS Yorktown from April 1943, when it was commissioned, until December 1943. For helping to direct the Navy's carrier warfare in the Pacific, he received a Presidential Unit Citation and a letter of commendation for outstanding duty in the line of combat. Later, he was assistant chief of staff for the Navy's Pacific Fleet Air Wing and chief of staff for the commander of a fast-carrier task force in the Pacific. During the Korean conflict, he was chief of staff and aide to the commander of the Seventh Fleet. He participated in the landing operations at Inchon as well as the minesweeping operations in Wonsan Harbor. He began his career as an antiaircraft spotter aboard the USS California. In 1925, he was an assistant communications officer. He then became an aviator, a flight instructor and an squadron engineer officer. He served in flight testing of experimental and service-type aircraft as well as development of armament and arresting-gear installations for aircraft and aircraft carriers. After retiring from the Navy, Admiral Waller was an administrator for RCA in electronic products analysis, product development in Camden from 1954 until 1969. He was a member of the Union League in Philadelphia and the New Jersey Society of Pennsylvania. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Moorestown. He was a former member of the Army and Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va., of the Bohemian Club in San Francisco, and of the Rotary Club in Alameda, Calif.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helen-Louise Duckett Waller; a son, Raymond Randolph Jr.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held yesterday under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Moorestown. Burial is scheduled for March 10 in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Memorial donations may be made to the Book of Remembrances, Trinity Episcopal Church, 207 W. Main St., Moorestown, N.J. 08057, or to the charity of the donor's choice.

From a contemporary press report:
Age 95, on February 27, 1998, of Moorestown, New Jersey. Husband of Helen Louise (nee Duckett); father of Raymond, Randolph Waller Jr. of Los Angeles, California; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 207 W. Main St., Moorestown, New Jersey. Private interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Memorial contributions to the Book of Remembrances, c/o Trinity Episcopal Church.

Interred on 9 April 1998 in Section 67, Grave Number 4105 with a procession which included Minute Guns, Gun Salute and Full Military Honors.

Captain Raymond R. Waller, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander SEVENTH Fleet, from 1 August 1950 to 28 March 1951.
General Orders: All Hands (July 1952)
Action Date: August 1, 1950 - March 28, 1951
Service: Navy
Rank: Captain