1965 AAE Distinguished Engineering Alumnus

Walker M. Mahurin

Colonel, USAF Retired
Assistant Division Director
Advanced Programs Development, Space and Information Division
North American Aviation Corporation
BSAE ’49

He left Purdue in 1942 to join the Army Air Corps and became the leading ace in Europe until shot down and captured. He returned for his degree at Purdue, then became assistant executive officer to the secretary of the Air Force. Again on combat duty, he flew 67 missions in Korea while pioneering and perfecting the F-86 dive-bombing technique, was shot down and held prisoner 16 months in solitary confinement. Mr. Mahurin received many high military honors from U.S., British, French, and Belgian governments. He now shares administrative responsibility for the leading U.S. space contractor.