TFH 8/15 and 8/30: First Lieutenant Kenneth A. Walsh, USMC

Kenneth Ambrose Walsh was born on November 24, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17 on December 15, 1933. Walsh was trained as an aviation mechanic and radioman. While still an enlisted man, he received flight training and earned his "Wings of Gold" as a Naval Aviator in 1937. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he was one of the more experienced Marine aviators and was a Technical Sergeant flying with Marine Fighting Squadron 121 (VMF-121).

Walsh was promoted to Warrant Officer in May of 1942, and later received a full commission when promoted to Second Lieutenant. He was reassigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124). VMF-124 was the first USMC squadron to field the Vought F4U Corsair fighter. The squadron was also one of the few Marine aircraft carrier-capable units of the day, and Walsh was one of the few Marine officers qualified as a carrier Landing Signal Officer (LSO).

VMF-124 deployed to Guadalcanal in February 1943 and flew and fought during the Solomon Islands Campaign. Walsh achieved "ace" status by shooting down five enemy planes by mid-May 1943. For two instances of aerial combat where he faced numerically superior enemy opposition on August 15 and 30, 1943, he received our Nation's highest honor.

From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II (T-Z):

WALSH, KENNETH AMBROSE

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. 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.

Through the end of August 1943, Walsh shot down a total of 20 Japanese planes.

Walsh return to the United States late in 1943 and was awarded his Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 8, 1944. Like many early World War II heroes, he was used on the home front for publicity and rallying the public for war bond drives. By 1945 he petitioned to return to combat service and his request was granted. Walsh got his last kill on June 22, 1945 over Okinawa flying with Marine Fighting Squadron 122 (VMF-122). Across the whole of his World War II service, he was decorated seven times with the Distinguished Flying Cross. Six of the seven were awarded for his same tour of duty that produced his Medal of Honor heroism. Courtesy of Military Times' Hall of Valor, here are all seven citations:

March 3 & April 1, 1943:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Kenneth Ambrose Walsh (MCSN: 0-10449), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 3 March and 1 April 1943. During a vigorous raid against a 15-ton schooner at Vella Lavella on 3 March, Second Lieutenant Walsh boldly led two other planes in the skillful strafing and subsequent destruction of the hostile ship. Again on 1 April, he directed a striking force of fighters against an overwhelming number of enemy planes and, pressing home daring attacks, personally shot down three Japanese fighter planes. His skill as an airman and leader and his courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


May 13, 1943:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Kenneth Ambrose Walsh (MCSN: 0-10449), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Russell Islands Area on 13 May 1943. Boldly leading a fighter flight, Second Lieutenant Walsh intercepted a force of enemy planes and, immediately launching his attack, succeeded in shooting down two of the hostile aircraft. By his skilled airmanship, courage and loyal devotion to duty in the face of aerial opposition, he contributed materially to the success of his squadron and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


May 29-June 10, 1943:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Kenneth Ambrose Walsh (MCSN: 0-10449), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 29 May to 10 June 1943. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, First Lieutenant Walsh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on enemy gun emplacements, supply dumps and barges. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


August 12, 1943:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Kenneth Ambrose Walsh (MCSN: 0-10449), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 12 August 1943. Skillfully and aggressively fighting his plane while escorting bombers in a strike against Kahili Airdrome on Bougainville, First Lieutenant Walsh succeeded in destroying two enemy aircraft thereby aiding in the success of the strike. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


August 17-19, 1943:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Kenneth Ambrose Walsh (MCSN: 0-10449), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 17 to 19 August 1943. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, First Lieutenant Walsh contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on enemy gun emplacements, supply dumps and barges. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


August 23, 1943:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Kenneth Ambrose Walsh (MCSN: 0-10449), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 23 August 1943. Skillfully and aggressively fighting his plane while on a combat air patrol over Vella Lavella, First Lieutenant Walsh succeeded in destroying two enemy aircraft. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


April 28-May 12, 1945:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Silver Star lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Kenneth Ambrose Walsh (MCSN: 0-10449), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VMF-122), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands Area from 28 April to 12 May 1945. Completing his sixtieth mission during this period, Captain Walsh contributed materially to the success of his squadron. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Walsh continued serving in the Marine Corps after World War II. He flew transport aircraft during the Korean War, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1962. He passed away on July 30, 1998 at age 81 and today rests in peace in Arlington National Cemetery. Two of the three known squadrons that Walsh flew with during World War II are still active today.

VMF-121, today known as VMFA-121, is the Marines' first operational squadron for the Lockheed F-35B Lightning II. The squadron is located at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona.

VMF-122 is today an McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet Squadron known as VMFA-122. They are based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina.

VMF-124 was last active as Marine Attack Squadron 124 (VMA-124) flying the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. The squadron was deactivated in 1996.