Robert Walton Jr (1894-1987) was born in Augusta, Georgia on January 22, 1894, the son of Lucy Eleanor Wilson Walton and Robert Walton. He entered the United States Army at the age of 23 in 1917. He received his initial training at Camp Gordon (Atlanta), and was ultimately commissioned a Second Lieutenant on August 15, 1917 in the infantry of the 82nd "All American" Division. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on December 31, 1917. Camp Gordon was then moved to Augusta, Georgia in 1918. Walton and his company were first sent to England for staging and training, and his company arrived in France on May 16, 1918. He remained with Company M, 328th Infantry, 3rd Regiment, 82nd Division of the American Expeditionary Force throughout the war and until he was released in May of 1919. He assumed temprary command of Company M at intervals and assumed full command of the company on his promotion to Captain on November 11, 1918. In January of 1919 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross of gallantry in action (along with four other men in his platoon). He also received the Croix la Guerre with Palm for gallantry in action.