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CPT John Springer Walmsley Jr.
Monument

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CPT John Springer Walmsley Jr. Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA
Death
14 Sep 1951 (aged 31)
North Korea
Monument
Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA Add to Map
Plot
Courts of the Missing
Memorial ID
View Source
Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. Walmsley served as a Captain, United States Air Force, 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bomb Group. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service Near Yangdok, Korea, on September 14, 1951. His citation reads-Capt. Walmsley, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While flying a B-26 aircraft on a night combat mission with the objective of developing new tactics, Capt. Walmsley sighted an enemy supply train which had been assigned top priority as a target of opportunity. He immediately attacked, producing a strike which disabled the train, and, when his ammunition was expended, radioed for friendly aircraft in the area to complete destruction of the target. Employing the searchlight mounted on his aircraft, he guided another B-26 aircraft to the target area, meanwhile constantly exposing himself to enemy fire. Directing an incoming B-26 pilot, he twice boldly aligned himself with the target, his searchlight illuminating the area, in a determined effort to give the attacking aircraft full visibility. As the friendly aircraft prepared for the attack, Capt. Walmsley descended into the valley in a low level run over the target with searchlight blazing, selflessly exposing himself to vicious enemy antiaircraft fire. In his determination to inflict maximum damage on the enemy, he refused to employ evasive tactics and valiantly pressed forward straight through an intense barrage, thus insuring complete destruction of the enemy's vitally needed war cargo. While he courageously pressed his attack Capt. Walmsley's plane was hit and crashed into the surrounding mountains, exploding upon impact. His heroic initiative and daring aggressiveness in completing this important mission in the face of overwhelming opposition and at the risk of his life, reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.
Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. Walmsley served as a Captain, United States Air Force, 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bomb Group. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service Near Yangdok, Korea, on September 14, 1951. His citation reads-Capt. Walmsley, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While flying a B-26 aircraft on a night combat mission with the objective of developing new tactics, Capt. Walmsley sighted an enemy supply train which had been assigned top priority as a target of opportunity. He immediately attacked, producing a strike which disabled the train, and, when his ammunition was expended, radioed for friendly aircraft in the area to complete destruction of the target. Employing the searchlight mounted on his aircraft, he guided another B-26 aircraft to the target area, meanwhile constantly exposing himself to enemy fire. Directing an incoming B-26 pilot, he twice boldly aligned himself with the target, his searchlight illuminating the area, in a determined effort to give the attacking aircraft full visibility. As the friendly aircraft prepared for the attack, Capt. Walmsley descended into the valley in a low level run over the target with searchlight blazing, selflessly exposing himself to vicious enemy antiaircraft fire. In his determination to inflict maximum damage on the enemy, he refused to employ evasive tactics and valiantly pressed forward straight through an intense barrage, thus insuring complete destruction of the enemy's vitally needed war cargo. While he courageously pressed his attack Capt. Walmsley's plane was hit and crashed into the surrounding mountains, exploding upon impact. His heroic initiative and daring aggressiveness in completing this important mission in the face of overwhelming opposition and at the risk of his life, reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.

Bio by: The Silent Forgotten

Gravesite Details

He has a "IN MEMORY OF" marker in Arlington National Cemetery, Section MF-46-3



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Added: Sep 9, 2003
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7855035/john_springer-walmsley: accessed ), memorial page for CPT John Springer Walmsley Jr. (7 Jan 1920–14 Sep 1951), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7855035, citing Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.