Walter Samuel Savage, Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on 26 April, 1919.  Walter was the eldest child followed by his sister, Mary, and younger brother, John.

According to John, "his main passion was music.  He had one year of piano lessons when very young, and then he mastered it on his own.  He could pick up almost any instrument, and in a little while be playing it.  He wanted to pursue music as a career, but Dad convinced him that he would be better off if he studied accounting. He was a very good tennis player, and pretty good golfer.  He taught me how to play tennis and golf, and to swim.  Also taught me how  to  kick  fieldgoals and extra points over telephone wires in an empty lot.  He would have made a good coach."

He was a brilliant student and graduated from high school at the age of thirteen.  After taking a two year sabbatical from his studies, he entered Louisiana State University.   He graduated in  1938 with a Bachelor  of  Science Degree.  He had just turned nineteen.

At this time, Walter had also passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, but had to wait until he was twenty-one years old to get his certificate. 

In late 1941, Walter's father, Walter S. Savage, Sr., was offered a colonel's commission in the Quartermaster Corps, since he had been a captain in the Signal Corps during WWI.  Mr. Savage had been a practicing Certified Public Accountant for years.  
Walter, Jr. insisted that his father had already done his part for his country.  He insisted that it was now his turn to serve.  

On 10 June, 1941, he joined the Navy and was commissioned an Ensign in the Supply Corps.  He was sent to the Navy Supply Corps School at Harvard University where he graduated on 12 September, 1941.  

He finished second in his class, and as a reward was assigned to The USS ARIZONA, flagship of the battleship division.  Had he finished first or third in his class, he might still be alive today.  

He was told to "report to the USS ARIZONA (BB39) for duty as Assistant Paymaster." On 27 October, 1941 Ensign Savage set foot on his first and last ship.  He acted as the ARIZONA'S Assistant Paymaster for two pay periods prior to the Japanese attack which took not only his life, but the lives of 1,777 other shipmates as well.  He was not quite 23 years old.  He would remain an Ensign forever on a ship that became a commissioned tomb for all who perished within it's hull.

The only tangible evidence left of Ensign Savage is his name, which is inscribed, along with those of other shipmates killed in the attack, on a long bronze scroll within the USS Arizona Memorial. 
Walter S. Savage, Jr. header
Walter S. Savage, Jr.
SECTION 1.
Close-up photograph of Walter Savage's name on scroll.
medals earned by Ensign Savage
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Medals earned by Ensign Savage
HOMENEW ADDITIONSSITE MAPINTRODUCTION
FOREWORDINVOCATION1. WALTER S. SAVAGE, JR.2.  DE-386 (WWII)
3.  DE-386 CREW4.  DE-386 CREW PHOTOS5.  DE-386 SHIP PHOTOS6.  DER-386 (1955)
7.  DER CREW 1955 - 19648.  DER-386 PHOTOS9.  SAVAGE IN VIETNAM10.  VIETNAM CREW
11.  VIETNAM PHOTOS12.  SHIP'S AWARDS13.  ACTIVE SERVICE TERMINATED14.  REUNION ASSOCIATION
15.  DECEASED16.  ROSTER17  REUNION PHOTOS18.  KEEPSAKES
19.  MISCELLANEOUS20.  SITE POLICIES21.  WEBMASTER22   COMMANDING OFFICERS 
23.  MISCELLANEOUS CREW PHOTOS24. SHIPS IN VIETNAM/AGENT ORANGE25. SHIP'S HISTORY

Walter S. Savage, Jr.College YearsL'EnvoiWalter S. Savage, Jr. Photo
Walter Savage's WatchWalter Savage's Watch (2)Walter Savage's Watch - 3

SECTION 1. CONTENTS
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Photograph of marble scroll at the USS Arizona Memorial.
USS ARIZONA Memorial
photograph of inscription on the rememberance wall at the USS Arizona Memorial.
Inscription on the rememberance wall at the USS Arizona Memorial.
Photograph of marble scroll at the USS Arizona Memorial.
photograph of the USS ARIZONA Memorial.
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Close-up photograph of Walter Savage's name on scroll.