Colonel Conrad N. Walker, USA (ret.) “was called from his church to active duty as a U.S. Army Chaplain, in 1962. While in seminary, and as a parish pastor, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves and the Minnesota National Guard. Chaplain Connie Walker was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor, Legion of Merit, and Purple Heart for his pastoral mission under hostile conditions in Vietnam. He is a Master Parachutist, having made many hundreds of jumps with the troops, including one combat jump.” Colonel Conrad N. Walker is the co-author of The Leapin’Deacon: The Soldier’s Chaplain.

According to the book description of The Leapin’Deacon: The Soldier’s Chaplain, “This biography about Chaplain Conrad Walker tells of his extraordinary life based on values and dictums garnered during his early years. He was a champion athlete, a military hero, a spiritual giant, and a dedicated family man. Readers will be uplifted as Connie displays his joy and humor by sharing anecdotes of the growing of a legend. Connie served as chaplain with the 101st and 173rd Airborn. He ministered to the Sky Soldiers in Vietnam and served as a Command Chaplain the the U.S. and abroad.”

One reader of The Leapin’Deacon: The Soldier’s Chaplain said, “Shortly after the Gulf of Tonkin incident Connie was reassigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade. In April 1966 he was enroute to Bien Hoa, Vietnam with his new unit. During the course of the year he was in-country he made visits to the 93rd EVAC and the 3rd Surgical Hospital. He also came under fire several while traveling with or ministering to the troops and yes he was wounded at least once. He was also awarded the Silver Star.

With his combat tour over Connie's next assignment was at Ft Benning. Following that he was sent to Fort Hamilton, New York and that was followed by a tour in Thailand. From there he went to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1973 Connie was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, then Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania. In 1978 he was off to Korea followed by Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1980. Connie was then sent to Kaiserslauten, Germany with a brief stopover in Washington, DC. In 1987 Connie was stateside at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. He retired from the Army in October 1990.

He took over as minister of the MacArthur Park Lutheran Church in San Antonio. He retired from the ministry in 1995. Connie and Ann now enjoy the simple life of retirees and have frequent visits of their children and grandchildren.”