USS Walton (DE-361)

USS Walton (DE-361)

USS Walton (DE-361) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort in the United States Navy. It was named after Merrit Cecil Walton, a Marine Corps platoon sergeant with the U.S. 1st Marine Division, who died on Gavutu during the Battle of Guadalcanal and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for "extraordinary heroism".

Walton was laid down at Consolidated Steel Corporation, in Orange, Texas, on 21 March 1944; launched on 20 May 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Clara Olson, mother of Sgt. Walton; and commissioned on 4 September 1944, with Lieutenant Commander Wilbur S. Wills, Jr., in command.