The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*WALKER, KENNETH N.
(Air Mission)
Rank and Organization: Brigadier General, U.S. Army
Air Corps, Commander of V Bomber Command. Place and Date Rabaul, New Britain, 5
January 1943. Entered service at: Colorado. Birth: Cerrillos, N.
Mex. G.O. No.: 13, 11 March 1943.
Citation:
For conspicuous leadership above and beyond the call of duty involving personal valor and
intrepidity at an extreme hazard to life. As commander of the 5th Bomber Command during
the period from 5 September 1942, to 5 January 1943, Brig. Gen. Walker repeatedly
accompanied his units on bombing missions deep into enemy-held territory. From the lessons
personally gained under combat conditions, he developed a highly efficient technique for
bombing when opposed by enemy fighter airplanes and by antiaircraft fire. On 5 January
1943, in the face of extremely heavy antiaircraft fire and determined opposition by enemy
fighters, he led an effective daylight bombing attack against shipping in the harbor at
Rabaul, New Britain, which resulted in direct hits on 9 enemy vessels. During this action
his airplane was disabled and forced down by the attack of an overwhelming number of enemy
fighters.
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