John S. Walmsley Jr.

Lighting an enemy train for attack under heavy fire

John Springer Walmsley Jr. was born on January 7, 1920, in Baltimore, Maryland. He served as a United States Air Force captain with the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Group during the Korean War.

On September 14, 1951, near Yangdok, he spotted an enemy supply train during a night mission in a B-26. He attacked and disabled it, then called another aircraft to finish the target after expending his ammunition.

Using his aircraft's searchlight, he guided the other bomber to the train. He repeatedly aligned himself with the target to provide illumination, exposing his aircraft to antiaircraft fire. During a low-level pass, his plane was hit and crashed into the mountains. His actions helped ensure the destruction of the supply cargo.

His posthumous Medal of Honor was presented to his widow at Bolling Air Force Base on June 12, 1954. He is commemorated on the Wall of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

Official Medal of Honor 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.