HONORED BY U.S.A.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21385, 21 April 1944, Page 4

HONORED BY U.S.A.

DOMINION AIRMAN WING COMM. WALKER LEGION OF MER|T (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 20. Before a parade of sortie 200 airmen, most of whom lie had commanded in the Pacific, Wing Commander Henry Campbell Walker, A.F.C., was awarded the United States Legion of Merit, Degree of Officer, at the Royal New Zealand Air Force station at Ohakea yesterday afternoon. The award, which was in recognition of outstanding services as commanding officer of a Royal New Zealand Air Force reconnaissance squadron in the Pacific, was presented by , Lieutenant G. B Lane, U.S.N.R., assistant United States naval attache in Wellington. Also with the official party facing the parade, which was drawn up in the form of a three-sidecl square, were Mr Prescott Childs, American charge d’affaires, Air Commodore A. de T. Neville, Vice-Chief of Air Staff, Group Captain C. E. Kay. commanding officer of the station, and Wing Commander I. G. Morrison, the present officer commanding the squadron which Wing Commander Walker led overseas. At the conclusion of the short but impressive ceremony Wing Commander Walker joined the official party at the saluting base and the parade marched past. Brilliant Successes The citation says: "Wing Commander Walker displayed exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as commanding officer of a reconnaissance squadron of the R'oyal New Zealand Air Force from January 20 to April 3. 1943. In the face of adverse weather, terrific anti-aircraft lire and fierce lighter opposition. Wing Commander Walker conducted numerous search flights over hostile territory, night bombing raids, and special ' photographing, illuminating and observation missions. Personally carrying out many of the assignments of his unit, he established a brilliant record of successes for his reconnaissance squadron, earning the respect and admiration of every officer and man in the armed forces in this area. His accurate conception of the broad scope and intricate detail of his activities and the results achieved by his determined efforts were a major factor in the weakening of the Japanese resistance in the Solomon Islapds." ■Formerly aviation officer for the New Zealand Vacuum Oil Company. Pty., Limited, and later a member of the staff of Union Airways, Limited, Wing Commander Walker’s name became known in aviation when, in partnership with the late Squadron Leader McGregor, he competed in the Melbourne centennial air race between England and Australia in 1934. Born in Edinburgh in 1908, Wing Commander Walker came to New Zealand at an early age and completed his education in Dunedin and Palmerston North. He entered the Royal ISfew Zealand Air Force in 1940. Towards the end of 1941 he was posted overseas and saw considerable service before returning recently for medical reasons. In January. 1943, Wing Commander Walker was awarded the. A.F.C., and a further tribute to his distinguished service was made last month when he was mentioned in dispatches. His. wife, Mrs O. Walker, lives in Auckland.