Obituary: Walter Hoyt, of Waltham

The following is from Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home.

Walter Hoyt, of Waltham, passed away early Wednesday evening, Aug. 13, 2014 with his loving companion by his side at the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford at the age of 70.

Born on Aug. 1, 1944 in Waltham, son of the late Walter E. Hoyt and Barbara (Flynn) Hoyt, Walter lived most of his life in Waltham.

A graduate of Waltham High School with the Class of 1962, Walter joined the U.S. Navy after high school.

Walter was a decorated U.S. Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War. For heroic achievement in connection with Game Warden Operations while serving on board the USS Jennings County in the Republic of Vietnam, Walter received the Bronze Star.

On Dec. 22, 1967 a river patrol boat, participating in Operation BOLD CAROUSE I, grounded on the north bank of the Bassac River adjacent to Cu Lao Tan Dinh Island, JENNINGS COUNTY immediately dispatched her LCVP to effect salvage with Petty Officer Hoyt as petty officer in charge. In spite of intense and ever increasing enemy fire and experiencing his first exposure to enemy engagement, Petty Officer Hoyt calmly directed salvage efforts. Undismayed by repeatedly frustrated attempts to secure a tow line to the striken craft, he directed the LCVP to within 50 yards of the enemy stronghold where the line was successfully passed. The enemy then unleashed a fusillade of automatic and semi-automatic fire in a final attempt to stifle salvage efforts. Petty Officer Hoyt retained his poise, ordered his crew to return the fire and the PBR was towed clear of the area. By his cool and courageous actions under intense enemy fire, Petty Officer Hoyt was instrumental in saving the lives of the PBR crew, preventing destruction or capture of the craft and denying the enemy a major victory. His skillful leadership and complete disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Petty Officer Hoyt is authorized to wear the Combat “V.“

Walter was a member of the Executive Board for the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post #156 in Waltham, a Life-Member of the John M. Sullivan Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #10334 in Waltham, a Life-Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and Life-Member of the Disabled America Veterans.

He was the recipient of the Certificate of Appreciation from the American Legion Post #156 in 2006, Certificate of Appreciation from the VFW Post #2152 in Waltham in 2008 and honored as the Waltham Lodge of Elks #953 Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award in 2009.

As a young man, he was employed for Tayters Potato Chips Corporation in Waltham and in 1988 became employed with the City of Waltham as a Health Inspector for the Board of Health. In 2002, Walter was appointed as Director of Veterans Services and Licensing Agent for the City of Waltham where he remained until his retirement in 2013.

He is survived by his loving and devoted companion of 14 years Nancy Williams Hancock of Waltham and Bedford, his beloved son Walter E. Hoyt III of Chicopee, his sister Ethel (Hoyt) Leone and her husband Lawrence C. “Larry” Leone of Pocasset, his niece Barbara J. Leone of Woburn, and his nephew Lawrence J. Leone and his wife Marcella of Fitchburg and their children Marina and Michael Leone. In addition, he is survived by numerous cherished friends who will miss him dearly.

Dear brother of the late Herbert Leonard Hoyt.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend graveside funeral services with U.S. Navy Honors in celebration of Walter’s life at Mount Feake Cemetery, 203 Prospect St., WALTHAM, on Saturday morning, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108.