Serving as an airman in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Brigadier General Kenneth Newton Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on January 5, 1943 over Rabaul, New Britain, New Britain during World War II. At the time he was serving with 5th Bomber Command, 5th Air Force. Walker was 44 years old.
Walker was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on March 25, 1943.
Walker was born on July 17, 1898 in Cerrillos, Santa Fe County, New Mexico. His Medal of Honor is credited to Denver, Denver County, Colorado. He is buried at A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery in Philippine Islands Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
Walker is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 24 credited to Colorado.
Official Medal of Honor 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 nine enemy vessels. During this action his airplane was disabled and forced down by the attack of an overwhelming number of enemy fighters.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (January 5, 1943).
- Age at death: 44
- Resting place: A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Kenneth Newton Walker received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I, World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Technical High School, United States Army Command and General Staff College, Air Corps Tactical School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Colorado →
Timeline
- July 17, 1898Born in Cerrillos, Santa Fe County, New Mexico
- January 5, 1943Act of valor — over Rabaul, New Britain, New BritainAge 44. 5th Bomber Command, 5th Air Force Killed in action.
- March 25, 1943Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeA.B.M.C. Manila CemeteryPhilippine Islands Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
Biography
Brigadier General Kenneth Newton Walker (17 July 1898 – 5 January 1943) was a United States Army aviator and a United States Army Air Forces general who exerted a significant influence on the development of airpower doctrine. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor in World War II. Walker joined the United States Army in 1917, after the American entry into World War I. He trained as an aviator and became a flying instructor. In 1920, after the end of the war, he received a commission in the Regular Army. After service in various capacities, Walker graduated from the Air Corps Tactical School in 1929, and then served as an instructor there.
From the Wikipedia article “Kenneth Walker (general)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
