John Anthony Walker, Jr., was a Chief Warrant Officer and communications specialist for the U.S. Navy, who offered his services as a spy for the Soviet Union from the 1960’s through the 1980’s, the height of the Cold War era. In this time he helped the Soviets decipher over one million secret messages, and most observers agree that he was one of the most damaging spies in US history.
When Walker would be transferred away from assignments where his handlers required information, he recruited friends and members of his own family to join in his spying activity. The resulting Walker Spy Ring continued to vector important intelligence to the Soviets even after John Walker’s retirement from the Navy in 1975.
Walker’s activities went completely unknown to US authorities, despite his living a relatively extravagant lifestyle off of his spying proceeds. As a cover activity he joined right-wing political organizations such as the John Birch Society and the Ku Klux Klan. It is estimated that Walker earned more than $1 million from more than two decades of spying.
In 1985, Walker and his accomplices was arrested after an investigation was prompted by his being reported to authorities by his wife. They were tried and most received multiple life terms. His son, Michael Walker, who had a relatively minor role in the ring and turned state’s evidence, was released in February of 2000.
