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]