orientation and training, we moved by boat and train to Nottingham, Eng-land where a tent camp had been established.
In Nottingham, we trained vigorously preparing for the long anticipated invasion of the continent. We made several night jumps with equipment and participated in many field exercises.
On June 6, 1944, the 508th PIR parachuted into Normandy. I was hospitalized and missed the greatest opportunity of my life.
I did get a second chance. September 17, 1944, a bright sunny after- noon, I parachuted into Holland. I spent that night fighting in Nijmegen
with a Bazooka team.
Note: Van Walker’s assignment to a bazooka team illustrates the versatility of WW II paratroopers. Airborne forces were vulnerable to armored vehicle attacks -- they lacked adequate anti-tank weapons.
Anticipating the Germans would use the flat terrain of Holland for tank and armored vehicle attacks, additional bazooka teams (armed with 2.5 mm rockets) were formed by drawing exceptional men from their primary duty assignments.
These special bazooka teams were carefully trained to find and destroy armored vehicles and tanks. Several courageous Hq1 men were killed operating with bazooka teams in Holland.
Van Walker continues.
“My bazooka team was supporting Company A during its first days and nights in Nijmegen. Two battalion rifle companies (A & B) with a Hq1 light machine gun section, the 81mm Mortar Platoon and several bazooka teams was sent into Nijmegen to capture the highway bridge spanning the Waal River. The unopposed reinforced companies advanced rapidly through the city. At dusk, they started encountering and destroying small groups of German soldiers.
Finally, near a traffic circle -- about ten blocks from the southern app-roach to the bridge – a strong German force appeared. We deployed and a wild and furious firefight ensued. It was dark when our bazooka team arrived at the traffic circle leading to the bridge, but we could hear a tracked vehicle coming around the circle toward us.
Our bazooka team was ordered to destroy the approaching vehicle. Our gunner moved up and fired a
rocket at a very close range. Our bazooka was disabled by the blast, and the gunner was wounded in the shoulder. I never did determine whether we had destroyed an armored vehicle, as | 
