John S. Walmsley, Jr.

Infobox Military Person
name= John S. Walmsley, Jr.
born= birth date|1920|1|7
died= death date and age|1951|9|14|1920|1|7
placeofbirth= Baltimore, Maryland
placeofdeath= Near Yangdok, Korea
placeofburial=


caption= Medal of Honor recipient, John S. Walmsley, Jr.
nickname=
allegiance=flag|United States of America
branch=air force|United States
serviceyears=
rank= Captain
unit=8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bomb Group
battles= Korean War
awards= Medal of Honor Purple Heart

John S. Walmsley, Jr. (January 7, 1920 – September 14, 1951) was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 14, 1951.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Air Force, 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bomb Group

Place and date: Near Yangdok, Korea, September 14, 1951

Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Born. January 7, 1920, Baltimore, Maryland

Citation:

: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.cite web
accessdate=2007-12-31
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/koreanwar.html
title = "JOHN S. WALMSLEY" entry
work = Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War
date = July 16, 2007
publisher= CMH, U.S. Army]

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients

Notes

References

*findagrave|7855035 Retrieved on 2007-12-10
*cite web
accessdate=2007-12-31
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/koreanwar.html
title = "JOHN S. WALMSLEY" entry
work = Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War
date = July 16, 2007
publisher= Center of Military History (CMH), United States Army

Persondata
NAME= Walmsley, John S.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Air Force Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=