On August 30, 1943, 1stLt Kenneth Walsh broke off from his formation of F4U Corsairs and returned to base with engine troubles. He swapped aircraft and roared back into the sky.
Alone over the South Pacific island of Vella Lavella, Walsh encountered a massive force of 50 Japanese Zeros. Against all logic, Walsh unhesitatingly attacked.
He destroyed 4 enemy fighters before cannon fire forced him into the ocean. He survived the crash and was rescued. For this astounding act of heroism and others detailed in his award citation, Walsh received the Medal of Honor.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Walsh enlisted in the Corps in 1933 and ranked up to Gunner before receiving a commission as a Lt in 1942. He ended WWII as the USMC's 4th-ranking ace, with 21 enemy planes shot down. He returned to combat in Korea during 1950 and '51. He eventually retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1962.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
During his time in combat, Walsh earned the Medal of Honor, 7 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 15 Air Medals. He died of a heart attack at the age of 81 in 1998.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
"serving as a pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron 124 in the Solomon Islands. Determined to thwart the enemy's attempt to bomb Allied ground forces on 15 August 1943, 1stLt Walsh repeatedly dived his plane into an enemy formation outnumbering his own division six to one.
Although his plane was hit numerous times, he shot down two dive bombers and one fighter. After developing engine trouble on 30 August during a vital escort mission, 1stLt Walsh landed his disabled plane at Munda, replaced it with another, and proceeded to rejoin his flight.
Separated from his escort group when he encountered 50 Japanese Zeros, he unhesitatingly attacked, striking with relentless fury in his lone battle. He destroyed four hostile fighters before shellfire forced him to make a dead-stick landing off Vella Lavella where he was later picked up.
His valiant leadership and daring skill served as a source of confidence and inspiration to his fellow pilots."
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Comments
Post a Comment