|
TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
|
|
|
BORN:
November 24, 1916 at Roxbury, MA
Entered Service in the US
Marine Corps from Massachusetts
Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II For heroism on
August 15 & 30, 1943 in
the sky over the Solomon Islands.
DIED: July
30, 1998 at the age of 81
|
|
First
Lieutenant Walsh was 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, he
repeatedly dove 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 during a vital escort
mission, First Lieutenant Walsh landed his mechanically disabled
plane at Munda Airstrip, 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.
|
|
