Edmond Walsh grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended Saint Lawrence College in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, where he graduated in 1932. He then entered Saint PaulÕs Seminary in Minnesota, and upon graduation in 1938, he was ordained a Catholic Priest at Saint Cecilia’s Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska. He was assistant pastor of Saint PatrickÕs Church in Omaha from 1940 to 1943, at which time he was commissioned a U.S. Naval Reserve chaplain. He served at Naval Air Station Glynco (Georgia) until 1944, at which time he became chaplain aboard the U.S.S. Suwannee in the Pacific Theater of Operations, where he earned the Silver Star. He was released from active duty on August 8, 1946. After the war he served as an assistant to Father Edward Flanagan and, in 1947 he became Welfare Director of Boys Town.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant Commander (ChC)Division:
U.S.S. SuwaneeAction Date:
October 25 – 26, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander (ChC) Edmond Charles Walsh, United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in the performance of duty as chaplain of his ship, the U.S.S. Suwanee, while operating off the coast of Leyte Island, Philippine Islands, against nearby Japanese surface task forces on 25 and 26 October 1944. His ship was badly damaged by three Japanese aircraft attacks. These three attacks not only incapacitated the ship from further action, but also
caused extremely heavy casualties. With no thought of the danger in which he walked, the chaplain was seen constantly risking his life in his efforts to reach the dying and wounded, several times going through flame and smoke to reach them. His courage, enduring cheerfulness and the dignity and simplicity with which he invested the burial of officers and men are a mighty contribution to the maintenance of high morale. His actions will never be forgotten by the injured and uninjured alike . His conduct was in keeping with the
highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.