by Siggurdsson
1st Lt. Kenneth Walsh, USMC on June 22, 1945,
the day he made his 21st kill vs. the Japanese
Image courtesy of http://flattopshistorywarpolitics.yuku.com
(Unless otherwise indicated, all illustrations are courtesy of Wikipedia)
the day he made his 21st kill vs. the Japanese
Image courtesy of http://flattopshistorywarpolitics.yuku.com
(Unless otherwise indicated, all illustrations are courtesy of Wikipedia)
After posting four stories ranging from ancient times, to the mid-Dark Ages, to the Hundred Years’ War, I will bring readers a story just a little closer to our own time. Today the spotlight shines on a Marine aviator who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Pacific during the Second World War.
Background
Ken Walsh was born on November 24, 1916 in Brooklyn, NY. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines in December of 1933, quickly becoming a mechanic and radioman. Within four years he had earned his Wings of Gold – despite the fact he was still a private – but was soon promoted to corporal. By 1943, he received his officer’s commission, and was assigned to Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 125 (VMF-124). In February 1943, VMF-124 was assigned to duty off Guadalcanal, and almost immediately went into combat.
Walsh scored his first 3 kills on April 1, 1943 then achieved his next 2 on May 13. With five kills, he became the first American ace while flying the Vought F4U Corsair.
Vought F4U Corsair, The “Bent-Wing Bird”
Restored Vought F4U Corsair, painted in Marine Corp colors for
Duty during the Korean War
Photograph courtesy of Gerry Metzler (and Wikipedia)
The aircraft was rugged, surviving multiple hits from enemy weaponry. It was also easily recognized by its gull-wing configuration. By the end of the war, it had evolved into an excellent ground support aircraft. In addition to its six .50 caliber machine guns, it could carry up to 4000 pounds of bombs, including high explosives or napalm, and even 11.75 inch Tiny Tim rockets. Each Corsair carried 2300 rounds for each machine gun.
Medal of Honor 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.Lt. Walsh was sent home in October of 1943. On February 8, 1944, he was presented the Medal of Honor by President Franklin Roosevelt. Walsh was sent back to the Pacific Theatre in 1945, scoring his 21st and last kill over Okinawa on June 22, 1945.
Walsh remained in the Marine Corps for a full career, flying transports in Korea and retiring as a lieutenant colonel in February 1962. He was a frequent participant in history seminars and often assisted researchers and historians interested in the Pacific War.
Walsh died on July 30, 1998 from a heart attack. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Lt. Walsh receiving MOH from President Roosevelt, February 8, 1944
Photograph courtesy of USMC Archives, Quantico, VA
Footnote #2: Some Japanese pilots regarded F4U Corsair as the most formidable American fighter of World War II, and the U.S. Navy counted an 11:1 kill ratio with the aircraft.
Footnote #3: One particularly unusual kill was scored by Marine Lieutenant R. R. Klingman of VMF-312 (the "Checkerboards"), over Okinawa. Klingman was in pursuit of a Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu ("Nick") twin-engine fighter at extremely high altitude when his guns jammed due to the gun lubrication thickening from the extreme cold. He flew up and chopped off the Ki-45's tail with the big propeller of the Corsair. Despite missing five inches off the end of his propeller blades, he managed to land safely after this aerial ramming attack. For this unusual exploit, he was awarded the Navy Cross.
Footnote #4: Lt. Walsh once gave his opinion on the most important aspect of flying the Corsair:
“I learned quickly that altitude was paramount. Whoever had altitude dictated the terms of the battle, and there was nothing a Zero pilot could do to change that — we had him. The F4U could outperform a Zero in every aspect except slow speed manoeuvrability and slow speed rate of climb. Therefore you avoided getting slow when combating a Zero. It took time but eventually we developed tactics and deployed them very effectively... There were times, however, that I tangled with a Zero at slow speed, one on one. In these instances I considered myself fortunate to survive a battle. Of my 21 victories, 17 were against Zeros, and I lost five aircraft in combat. I was shot down three times and I crashed one that ploughed into the line back at base and wiped out another F4U.”
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