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Kenneth |
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Place: Solomon Islands, South Pacific Ocean Date: August 15 and 30, 1943 Rank and organization: 1st Lieut., U.S. Marine Corps Entered service at: New York Birth: Nov 24, 1916, Brooklyn, New York |
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The
President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March
3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to 1ST
LIEUTENANT UNITED STATES MARINES CORPS 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. |
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