Summary: Enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 18. After recruit training at San Diego, was assigned to Aviation Machinists Mate School at Navy Pier in Chicago. Graduating with honors, he was meritoriously promoted to corporal. In the Fall of 1942 joined VMF-112. After squadron was relieved at Guadalcanal, spent five months in a U.S. hospital for treatment of malaria. Following recovery, returned to Midway Island for duty with VMF-324. Post war assignments included MCAS Cherry Point and various carrier duty assignments in the Mediterranean. During the Korean War, MSgt Bussey served as engineering chief with VMC-1, an electronics countermeasure squadron. In July of 1953 he was transferred to Japan for duty as leading chief with Marine Helicopter Squadron 163.

Promoted to First Sergeant in 1957, Bussey accompanied VMF-333 to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina as engineering chief. In 1958 he was promoted to Sergeant Major, assuming duty as station Sergeant Major at MCAS Beaufort.

In 1962 Bussey was assigned duty as Sergeant Major at the Marine Barracks in Sub Bay, Republic of the Philippines. In 1964, Sergeant Major Bussey joined the 3rd Battalion, Seventh Marines in Vietnam where he participated in the first all-Marine offensive against Viet Cong force at the Marine enclave at Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam.

On 15 July 1966, Sergeant Major Bussey assumed duties as Sergeant Major, Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Minneapolis, Minnesotta. He was transferred to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserves on 31 August 1968 and placed on the retired list 1 March 1972.

Sgt. Major Bussey passed away 23 February 2004 in Florida. He was mourned at Arlington National Cemetary 17 May 2004.

Tribute

Sorry to hear of Walter's passing, but we are all just a stones throw away. I believe Walter was a 30-year Marine and I remember him as a coporal with the VMF-112. He was from Boston and went home from the 'Canal, where he was accosted on the subway by an old guy (my father) inquiring if he knew his son (me) who was still 'out there'. Imagine the thrill he gave my dad when he told him I was his Sergeant Major and he had just left me!" - Bernie Colman, 12 March 2004

Wife:
Audrey Bayer Bussey
3534 W. Shell Point Road
Ruskin, FL 33570
(813) 645-2631

Daughters: 
Linda Roberto
Montgomery, Alabama
a349lroberto@att.net     
(that is: a349L)

Susan Stanley
Lutz, Florida