Kenneth Ambrose Walsh was born on November 24, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in New Jersey, where he graduated from high school before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1933. He was trained as a radioman and aircraft mechanic before being selected for flight training.
Walsh was still an enlisted man when he received his “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Aviator on April 26, 1937. He earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in October 1942, and was promoted to First Lieutenant in June 1943.
On August 15 and 30, 1943 Walsh’s heroism in the skies as an F4U Corsair pilot was later recognized with the Medal of Honor.
From Military Times’ Hall of Valor:
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.
Walsh returned to combat flying in 1945 and survived the war. Throughout his World War II service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross seven times.
He later served during the Korean War, and retired from the Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel on February 1, 1962.
Lieutenant Colonel Walsh passed away from a heart attack at age 81 on July 30, 1998. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
