Walter H. Kramer, a native of Sheboyan, Wisconsin, enlisted in the navy in Milwaukee in July 1927.  He joined the crew of the USS West Virginia on September 30, 1927 as an apprentice seaman.  He was rated Fire Controlman third class in August 1929 and Fire Controlman first class in March 1935.  He attended the Fire Control School in Washington, DC and took a course at the Ford Instrument Company in New York.  He was in charge of the secondary battery fire control gear.