Walter Van Riper enlisted into the United States Army’s Corps of Engineers at the age of 17 on 1945-12-13. He was sent to Germany for three years. After returning to America, he was stationed in San Francisco before a fifteen month deployment in Korea. Sergeant Van Riper was sent to Puson, Korea. During his time in Korea, he was promoted to sergeant first class. He was the supply sergeant of Company A, 2nd Engineer Battalion. After Korea, he was stationed in Texas for fifteen months before returning to Germany. He was stationed in Ettlinger, Germany with the 77th Engineer Construction Battalion. Van Riper was discharged as a sergeant first class on 1962-03-28. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1962. He returned to Korea and participated in a field training exercise in October 1965. Van Riper, assigned as a personnel specialist in Headquarters, I Corps, experienced training in tactical maneuvers and support exercises. 

Walter Eugene Van Riper was born 1928-11-30 in Nyack, NY to Walter and Grace Van Riper. He has one twin brother, Paul. He has two half-siblings: Wilbur and Virginia. Van Riper was a student at Ramsey High School. He was employed as a clerk at Grand Union Market in Suffern, NY.  Van Riper enlisted into the United States Army in 1945 and served until his discharge in 1962. While stationed in Germany, he married Irene Wanninger 1954-11-18 in the Paul Revere Chapel in Karlsruhe, Germany. The Van Riper’s divorced. He married Carol Halliman. The Van Riper’s lived on W Airmount Road, Mahwah. They had two children: Cindy and Elizabeth. Van Riper had two step-children: Terry and Lisa. The Van Riper’s moved to North Carolina. He was widowed in 1986. Van Riper died on 2000-04-27. He was 71. 

General Orders No. 43, Army Publishing Directorate.

"In Korea," Ramapo Valley Independent, August 31, 1950, p. 1. 

"Men In Service," Ridgewood Herald-News, October 28, 1965, p. 31.

Obituaries, Greensboro.

"Sgt. W.E. Van Riper Irene Wanninger Wed In Germany," Ramapo Valley Independent, December 2, 1954, 4.  

"Supply Sarge Finally Gets Cot, Then Sent Home From Korea," Ramapo Valley Independent, December 6, 1951, p. 21. 

Walter Eugene Van Riper, North Carolina, U.S., Death Indexes, 1908-2004.

Walter Eugene Van Riper, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.

Walter E. Van Riper, Find a Grave.

Walter E Van Riper in the New York State, Birth Index, 1881-1942.

Walter E Van Riper, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010.

Walter E Van Riper, U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946.

Walter Van Riper Jr, 1940 United States Federal Census.