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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Captain John Walmsley Jr.
Captain John Springer Walmsley Jr. served as a flying instructor in the United States and Japan throughout the 1940s. In June of 1951, Capt. Walmsley went to Korea as a B-26 pilot in the 8th Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group. He completed twenty-five combat missions. On September 14, 1951, Capt. Walmsley successfully attacked an enemy supply train. When he ran out of ammunition, he used a searchlight mounted on his aircraft to illuminate the target for another B-26. Despite heavy antiaircraft fire, he continued to light the area. When his B-26 was hit, it crashed into the surrounding mountains and exploded.
CITATION
Captain John S. Walmsley, Jr., United States Air Force, a member of the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bomb Wing, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Yangdok, Korea on 14 Sepember 1951. While flying a B-26 aircraft on a night combat mission with the objective of developing new tactics, Captain 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, Captain 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 Captain 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.
DOUGLAS A-26C "INVADER"
The A-26, a follow-up airplane to the A-20 Havoc, made its first flight on July 10, 1942. Production delivery began in August 1943, and on November 19, 1944, it went into combat over Europe. It was used for level bombing, ground strafing and rocket attacks. By the time production halted after VJ-Day, 2,502 Invaders had been built.
The A-26 was redesignated the B-26 in 1948. During the Korean War , the airplane entered combat once again, this time as a night intruder to harass North Korean supply lines.
Early in the Vietnam conflict, the Invader went into action for the third time. Also, the USAF ordered 40 modified B-26Bs having more powerful engines and increased structural strength. Designated the B-26K, the airplanes were designed for special air warfare missions. In 1966, the B-26K was redesignated the A-26A.
The A-26C on display was flown to the U.S. Air Force Museum in September 1957. It appears in the colors and marking used during the Korean War by the 34th Bomb Squadron flying night intruder missions.
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 70 ft.
Length: 51 ft. 3 in.
Height: 18 ft. 3 in.
Weight: 35,000 lbs. loaded
Armament: Highly variable. A-26C had two forward-firing .50-cal. machine guns and two turrets with two .50-cal. machine guns each. It also carried bombs internally and under wings.
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800s of 2,000 hp. ea.
Crew: 3
Cost: $172,000
Serial number: 44-35733
C/N: 29012
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 373 mph.
Cruising speed: 284 mph.
Range: 1,400 miles
Service Ceiling: 28,000
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