KEN WALSH THE FIRST CORSAIR ACE

Medal of Honor pilot's combat adventures

- BY BARRETT TILLMAN

The advanced strip at Munda on New Georgia Island was brand-new and desolate. To one correspondent, it resembled "a slash of white coral in a Doré painting of hell." Lying 175 miles north of Guadalcanal, it had been in business for only two weeks.

Marines on the flightline heard the familiar whine of a Corsair in the traffic pattern and looked up; they knew that a major bombing mission was under way against Bougainville to the northwest. The F4U flew a tight pattern, three-pointed onto the hard-packed runway and taxied to the line. Maj. Jim Neefus, the senior officer, met the wayward Corsair in his jeep. The visiting pilot looked familiar. As the aviator descended from the F4U's high cockpit, Neefus unzipped a grin. "Ken Walsh, what the hell are you doing here?"

Walsh returned the smile, warmly shaking hands; despite the difference in rank, 1st Lt. Walsh and Maj. Neefus were old acquaintances from before the War. Walsh quickly explained that he had supercharger trouble and was unable to continue the bomber escort. He asked whether Neefus could offer him a "loaner"; there was still time to catch the Liberators.

"Sure thing," the CO replied. Walsh squeezed himself and his parachute into the Jeep, and Neefus sped off to the alert pad. Four Corsairs were fueled and armed. "Take your pick," Neefus grinned. Walsh piled out, shouting his thanks over his shoulder. In minutes, he was taxiing away, running the geometry of the mission in his mind. A fight was brewing—he was certain of it—and he did not want to miss it.