|
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron
124, U.S. Marine Corps. Place and date: Solomon Islands area, 15 and 30
August 1943. Entered service at: New York. Birth: 24 November 1916, Brooklyn,
N.Y. Other Navy awards: Distinguished Flying Cross with 5 Gold Stars. Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of
duty as a pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron 124 in aerial combat against
enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area. Determined to thwart
the enemy's attempt to bomb Allied ground forces and shipping at Vella
Lavella on 15 August 1943, 1st Lt. Walsh repeatedly dived his plane into
an enemy formation outnumbering his own division 6 to 1 and, although his
plane was hit numerous times, shot down 2 Japanese dive bombers and 1 fighter.
After developing engine trouble on 30 August during a vital escort mission,
1st Lt. Walsh landed his mechanically disabled plane at Munda, quickly
replaced it with another, and proceeded to rejoin his flight over Kahili.
Separated from his escort group when he encountered approximately 50 Japanese
Zeros, he unhesitatingly attacked, striking with relentless fury in his
lone battle against a powerful force. He destroyed 4 hostile fighters before
cannon shellfire forced him to make a dead-stick landing off Vella Lavella
where he was later picked up. His valiant leadership and his daring skill
as a flier served as a source of confidence and inspiration to his fellow
pilots and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
|