Walter Victor

Walter John Victor (July 1, 1917 – October 14, 2014) was an American photographer and World War II veteran.[1]

Photo of the Dora Mittelbau mass grave taken by Victor

Biography
Photo of the Dora Mittelbau rocket assembly tunnels, where parts for the Mittelwerk V-2 rockets were stored, taken by Victor

He was born in Dupont, Pennsylvania to Frank and Agnes Victor.[2] He later moved to Dawsonville, Georgia. Victor fought at Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, serving as a gunsmith for the 9th Infantry Division.[3] His division also assisted the liberation of Dachau concentration camp.[4] Victor was named a Chevalier[5] of the Legion of Honor in May 2010 for his service.[6][7] He also earned one Silver Star and two Bronze Stars.[8] In 1966, he became a team photographer for the Atlanta Braves.[9] The Braves named the first base camera well at Turner Field for Victor in 2006.[10] Twelve of his photographs are housed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.[11] A compilation of his work was included in the book Brave at Heart: The Life and Lens of Walter Victor, published in 2007.[12] Victor was a Master Mason belonging to the Etowah Lodge in Dawsonville, Georgia.[2] He was married to Ruth and had four children.[13] Victor died on October 14, 2014, aged 97, and was interred at Georgia National Cemetery.[2]

References
  1. Hester, Michele (October 22, 2014). "World War II veteran dies". Dawson News. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  2. "Walter Victor Obituary". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. October 14, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014 – via Legacy.com.
  3. Reddy, Frank (May 26, 2010). "France says 'thanks' to Dawson County veteran". Gainesville Times. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  4. "Local veteran, eye of baseball dies". Dawson News. October 14, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  5. "Dupont native honored by the President of France". Times Leader. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  6. "Local vets to receive Legion of Honor". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. May 26, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  7. "France to honor three WWII veterans with the Legion of Honor Medal". French Consulate General, Atlanta. May 27, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  8. Shanks, Bill (March 2005). "Walter Victor, a real trooper on and off the field". Georgia Magazine. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  9. Freeman, Scott (August 14, 2007). "Walter Victor's 'Brave At Heart'". Creative Loafing. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  10. Bowman, Mark (October 14, 2014). "Braves photographer, World War II veteran Victor dead at 97". MLB.com. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  11. Stanford, Ken (October 14, 2014). "Dawsonville man who was official photographer for the Braves for 40 years dies". Access North Georgia. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  12. O'Brien, David (October 14, 2014). "Walter Victor, World War II vet and Braves photographer, dead at 97". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  13. "Area veteran, eye of baseball dies". Forsyth County News. October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
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