Justin Walker receives the Legacy Award from Compton Woodley Airport on behalf of his grandfather, Hildreth “Hal” Walker Jr. The award was presented at the recent Air and Space Fair.

Courtesy photo

Wave Staff Report

COMPTON — Laser scientist and professor Hildreth (Hal) Walker Jr. was honored posthumously by Compton Airport with the Legacy Award at their Air and Space Fair 2025for lighting the runway for those who dream of flying.

Walker was the first person to successfully fire the KORAD-1500 Ruby Laser to the moon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 moon landing when American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first humans ever to land on the moon.

Walker was board chairman and co-founder, with his wife Bettye Walker of the African-American Male Achievers Network,

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