Grave markers for Walter L. Wakefield and wife Betty in the Bayside Cemetery, Potsdam (St. Lawrence county), New York.

1st Lt Wakefield joined the 58th when he was transferred from the 19th Replacement on 15 June 44 to act as a Platoon Leader.

Since the regiment was in combat at that time, Walter was assigned to Service Company but was later assigned to Hq 2nd.

Captain Wakefield was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Bronze Service Arrowhead device for the Holland campaign and Airborne operations.  He also was the recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge for action during the Battle of Germany Campaign #1, 17 Sept 1944 to 13 Nov 1944.

Walter had a special memory of the Holland operations, see his short story "A Baby On A Battlefield"