Lt. Walter Lawrence Britten

Grand Forks, ND

1939-40, 762, Custer, F-12; 762, Sheridan, F-24, Subaltern
1941, 2754, Wall, NP-2, CO

WALTER LAWRENCE BRITTEN, LT. COL. USA (Ret.)

Born June 1915 in North Dakota, deceased Yerington, Nevada in June 25, 2003. He attended North Dakota University and was Commissioned an Army ROTC 2nd LT in June 1938, serving in World War II and Korea. A decorated Combat Veteran, Walt was awarded the Silver Star for Valor, Bronze Star and numerous other military decorations. Once married to LuVerne Shearer, now passed, his daughter, Janie Britten Reynolds; grandsons, Lawrence Alan and Jonathan P. Reynolds; and granddaughter, Kim Wade; and his sister, June Erfert, survive him. His son, Lawrence Alan Britten, a West Point Military Academy Graduate, Class of 63, gave his life in combat in Vietnam, in March 1966. His sister, Adie Meeker, long passed, was a schoolteacher in Yerington. In his final years, a very close personal friend, Loraine Ross and her daughters, Katie, Jamie, and Christina, cared him for. Walt, a long-term resident of Yerington, was a close friend with the Dini Family, who owned the Casino West, his favorite hangout. The Ross and Dini families were responsible for giving him dignity and respect in his final years, deeds Walt often praised. He will be interred at one of his favorite places, Arlington National Cemetery, just down the road from the Pentagon on September 5, 2003, with Military Honors provided by the 3rd United States Infantry, The Old Guard. In the words of a great military leader, General Douglas McArthur, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."

Below from Black Hill Echoes – November 1940 page 2

INTRODUCING "THE SENATOR"

Lt. Walter L. Britten, our second in command has been strutting around the area lately with a proud smile on his face, and wearing a blouse that at first glance appears to have been cut too small--but at a closer examination, it is seen that his chest has expanded even beyond all normal stages. The one big reason for all this is that upon October 11, 1940, a seven-pound eleven-ounce bundle of joy arrived for a permanent stay in the Britten household, said bundle being none other than a husky boy by the name of Larry Allen Britten.

He has been given the exalted title of "Senator" by the proud father for the reason that he seems to enjoy making loud speeches at the early hours of the morning, thereby disturbing the deep slumber of his parents. To date, no announcements have been made as to what particular office is in the mind of the "Senator", but the parents are agreed that it must be a grand one, considering all the hullabaloo the candidate has raised.

Our heartiest congratulations to you, Lieutenant, and may the "Senator" attain the ideals you have no doubt planned for him.

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