Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

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.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    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.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    August 15 & 30, 1943

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Kenneth Ambrose Walsh (MCSN: 0-10449), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area on 15 and 30 August 1943. Determined to thwart the enemy’s attempt to bomb Allied ground forces and shipping at Vella Lavella on 15 August 1943, First Lieutenant Walsh repeatedly dived his plane into an enemy formation outnumbering his own division six-to-one and, although his plane was hit numerous times, shot down two Japanese dive bombers and one fighter. After developing engine trouble on 30 August during a vital escort mission, First Lieutenant 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 four 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 122 (VMF-122)

    Action Date:

    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.