A Tuskegee Institute aviation Cadet Class 43F and combat pilot. Palmer flew the most combat missions of any black pilot in WW II. He amassed a total of 158 combat missions with the 100^th Fighter Squadron 332 Fighter Group.  He flew various aircraft including the P-39, P-40, P-47, and P-51s. Palmer is credited with downing German aircraft including their front line fighter the ME109.

His P-51 “Duchess” is represented in 1/8 scale in the Atterbury - Bakalar Air Museum located at the former Atterbury Army Air Field in Columbus Indiana.

Walter passed away in Indianapolis in March of 2009.